(Spoiler: They don't.) "People with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may worry that these foods can lead to gut problems and, thus, worsen inflammation, but there's no evidence to support this fear," says Beaver.
Some of the foods to avoid that are known to affect the immune system in people with autoimmune diseases include: Nightshade vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants. Grains like wheat, rice, oats, rye, barley, and foods made from grains such as breakfast cereals, bread, pasta.
Foods such as red meat, dairy, pastry, and beverages containing caffeine and alcohol trigger systemic inflammation, aggravating the autoimmune disease. If you are struggling with this condition, check out the most common foods that worsen autoimmune diseases so you can avoid them altogether.
The Autoimmune Protocol Diet
Foods to avoid include grains, legumes, dairy, processed foods, refined sugars, industrial seed oils, eggs, nuts, seeds, nightshade vegetables, gum, alternative sweeteners, emulsifiers, and food thickeners, said Romano.
"Nowadays many people are following the autoimmune paleo protocol (AIP)," states the recipe. "This restricted version of the paleo diet also excludes nightshades (including tomatoes) in an effort to minimize – and in some cases to cure – leaky gut and many autoimmune diseases.
Some people feel that eating foods from the nightshade family, also known as solanaceous vegetables, may make their arthritis worse. But research has shown that there is no link between inflammation and solanaceous vegetables. Examples of nightshade vegetables include: Tomatoes.
There's another misconception out there about tomatoes and other nightshades: That they cause inflammation. (Spoiler: They don't.)
Broccoli. Like other sulfur-rich foods (cauliflower, radishes, cabbage, onions, kale), broccoli is rich in a powerful antioxidant called glutathione, which may help alleviate autoimmune diseases. It's key in taming chronic inflammation and protecting against oxidative stress.
AIP approved fruits include: Apples. Apricots. Bananas.
People who are around certain things in the environment — Certain events or environmental exposures may cause some autoimmune diseases, or make them worse. Sunlight, chemicals called solvents, and viral and bacterial infections are linked to many autoimmune diseases.
Antioxidant foods: Berries, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetables (kale, cabbage, etc.), beans, tomatoes and beets. Omega-3 fatty acids: Olive oil, fish oil, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts or soybeans. These help reduce inflammation and the need for pain meds.
Choose Calming Foods
Fruits and vegetables (aim for a broad rainbow of colors to get the most antioxidant variety), fish and fish oil, olive oil, ground flaxseeds, and spices like ginger, rosemary, basil and turmeric can all have a quieting effect on an overactive immune system.
Tomatoes are the richest source of lycopene, a potent antioxidant. Tomato products improve antioxidant defences and reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases, at least partly, due to the presence of lycopene. Lycopene, as an anti-inflammatory agent, prevents the production of inflammatory cytokines.
Key takeaways: Nightshade vegetables include potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant. These vegetables are rich in nutrients and often recommended as staples of a healthy diet. Nightshades contain the alkaloid solanine, which is toxic in high concentrations.
Abstain from Eggs
To a person with autoimmune, they can cause havoc that probably wouldn't happen in a healthy person. Eggs can allow proteins (usually lysozyme, from the egg white) to cross the gut barrier where they don't belong and contribute to molecular mimicry.
Healthy probiotics (beneficial bacteria) can be helpful. Good sources may include fermented foods, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, unsweetened yogurts, coconut kefir, and probiotic supplements.
Cow's milk alternatives
Coconut milk is the best non-dairy milk alternative. It is AIP-friendly. Oat, hemp seed, almond, flaxseed, and cashew milks are not AIP-compliant because they come from nuts and seeds. Still, they are a better option than cow's milk to heal your gut and reduce symptoms.
Protection against autoimmune diseases
Comparatively, within the acquired immune system, the caffeine content within coffee potentially suppresses the proliferation of Th1 and Th2 cells. As a result, coffee can reduce the damage caused by the release of cytokines due to overactive T- and B-cells.
As part of his 12-step plan to staying in great shape, Brady said he doesn't eat nightshades – a group of vegetables including aubergines and tomatoes – because they cause inflammation and raise his body's pH.
DON'T Avoid Nightshade Vegetables
Take tomatoes, for example. They have lycopene and vitamin C that help curb inflammation.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. These supplements may help fight several types of inflammation, including vascular inflammation.