Pantry Staples That Soothe Inflammation Like a Pro

Lisette Marie

17. Cocoa Powder/Dark Chocolate: Flavanol Richness

Cocoa powder. Photo Credit: Envato @sea_wave

Good news for chocolate lovers! Unsweetened cocoa powder and high-percentage dark chocolate (70%+) are loaded with flavanols, powerful antioxidants with significant anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds can improve blood flow, protect blood vessel linings, and reduce markers of systemic inflammation. Choosing minimally processed cocoa or dark chocolate ensures you get the maximum flavanol content. Add cocoa powder to smoothies or oatmeal, or enjoy a small square of dark chocolate for a delicious, heart-healthy, inflammation-fighting treat.

18. Legumes: Fiber-Fueled Gut Health

Fried chickpeas with turmeric in ceramic plate on an old wooden table background. Roasted spicy chic. Photo Credit: Envato @kasia2003

Pantry staples like dried beans, lentils, and chickpeas are inflammation-fighting heroes primarily through their high fiber content. This fiber, including resistant starch, feeds beneficial gut bacteria, which in turn produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate. Butyrate is profoundly anti-inflammatory, nourishing colon cells and reducing systemic inflammation. Regularly including legumes in soups, stews, salads, and dips supports a healthy gut microbiome, a cornerstone of managing chronic inflammation throughout the body.

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17. Cocoa Powder/Dark Chocolate: Flavanol Richness

18. Legumes: Fiber-Fueled Gut Health

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