Inflammation is just your body's way of trying to protect itself. When something attacks your cells, your immune system immediately notices and swiftly responds to the danger.

It attacks germs or allergens in the case of an invasion and increases blood flow to the affected areas. This process is normal and a part of the immune system's excellent defense mechanism.

The problem is what happens when your body is no longer under attack, but your immune system doesn't back down and keeps working longer than it should. This becomes chronic inflammation, which can damage several parts of your body, including your hearts and joints.

Chronic inflammation can increase your risk of long-term conditions like diabetes and cancer, which can be lethal if ignored. The good thing is that you can reduce the chances of that happening by eating anti-inflammatory foods. With advice from top-registered nutritionists, we give you three enjoyable vegan foods that fight inflammation.

Sweet Cherries

These delicious fruits aren't just delectable on the tongue and full of nutrients; they're a superpower against inflammatory conditions as well.

According to Jessica Cording, a registered dietitian and top health coach, cherries are high in inflammatory oxidants that fight oxidative stress in the body. This makes them quite beneficial since oxidative stress can cause cancer and heart disease.

Cherries can prevent cancer and heart disease. Credits: Unsplash

Studies published in nutrition journals have proven that cherries can help prevent diseases caused by chronic inflammation such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Olive Oil

You might want to consider drizzling some olive oil over your salad or mixing it with your sauces because this Mediterranean magic oil can do wonders for your health. Top nutritionist Keri Gans has explained that olive oil contains a phenolic compound called oleocanthal.

Olive oil has anti-inflammatory benefits. Credits: Pexels

Oleocanthal has been compared to ibuprofen because of its anti-inflammatory benefits. Olive oil also contains a fatty acid called oleic acid. According to a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology, it can reduce inflammatory markers, often used to diagnose inflammatory conditions.

Tomatoes

Whether you're placing them on a sandwich or using them for homemade sauces, tomatoes have several health benefits. One of them is in the form of an antioxidant called lycopene. As registered dietitian and nutrition author Keri Gans explained once more, it also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Tomatoes can help prevent breast cancer. Credits: Pexels

To give you an idea of the effectiveness of lycopene, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition discovered that lycopene is very effective in preventing the growth and spread of breast cancer cells. Another study also found that men who ate foods with higher levels of lycopene were at less risk of getting prostate cancer.