Harvard Magazine did an excellent review of research on inflammation, showing how pro-inflammatory foods can cause diseases and anti-inflammatory foods can help to prevent them (Harvard Magazine, May-June 2019, 40-52). Chronic inflammation increases risk for heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, certain cancers, and many other diseases. The more anti-inflammatory foods you eat, the greater your protection from chronic inflammation and the diseases it causes. What is Inflammation? When germs invade your body, your immune system sends out cells and proteins to kill the invading germs. Your immune system responds with exactly the same cells and proteins in the same way when cells in your body are injured, to remove damaged tissue and start the healing process. As soon as the germs are conquered, or tissues heal, your immune system stops sending out huge amounts of these cells and proteins. However, if your immune system stays overactive, you develop inflammation in which these …