Eat this because it’s anti-inflammatory. Avoid that because it’s pro-inflammatory. Most of us have heard this advice but do we know what inflammation is?
Luke O’Neill, from the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, says it’s a normal process that happens when you’re infected with bacteria or a virus or injured yourself, such as spraining an ankle: “It’s designed to bring immune cells to the affected area to fight the infection and repair the damage.”
Five key signs indicate inflammation is present.
“There’s redness and heat due to blood rushing to the area,” says O’Neill. “Swelling happens because white blood cells travel to the affected area too, bringing blood plasma with them….