Move over almond milk. Flax milk is a great nondairy option if you're looking for an anti-inflammatory boost, says Staci Small, a registered dietitian based in Indiana. The milk is made with flax oil, which is rich in an omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
Fermented Dairy Products May Reduce Inflammation
This, in turn, means fewer irritants such as toxins, chemicals and other compounds are able to cross the gut lining and get into the body to trigger inflammation. Fermented foods are primary sources of probiotics, including fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir.
For most people, dairy does not cause inflammation, and there is no need to avoid it. Many dairy-containing foods may be eaten as part of a healthy diet. In addition, there are many non-dairy, plant-based milk alternatives on the market for those seeking out other options.
Hemp milk is a good source of protein, healthy fats, calcium, and iron. It is rich in anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids and has the ideal Omega-3 and Omega-6 balance, between a 2:1 and 3:1 ratio.
Oat milk is typically made with vegetable oils like rapeseed, canola and sunflower oils, which cause inflammation in the body. Adding fats like this is known to increase the texture, but I like to avoid inflammatory oils as often as possible (I wrote more about this here).
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.
Fenugreek is one of the best anti-inflammatory herbs because of its many benefits for digestive health and cardiovascular health. It can reduce inflammation of the stomach and has been shown to improve inflammatory issues, like mouth ulcers, bronchitis, chronic coughs and metabolic disorders.
Coconut milk nutrition benefits include providing healthy fats and electrolytes, supporting heart health, helping with fat loss and muscle gain, improving digestion, managing blood sugar, supplying iron to help prevent anemia, reducing inflammation, and fighting ulcers.
However, it is important to note that coconut milk is also high in saturated fat, so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced diet.” Is coconut milk inflammatory? No. Coconut milk contains anti-inflammatory compounds (5).
Another study, published in Nutrients, found that yogurt consumption was associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, and as the study authors note, “may be an important part of a healthy diet, designed to mitigate systemic inflammation.” Cohen recommends plain Greek yogurt, which has more protein than other ...
"Coconut milk is a great option for those with digestive issues as it is easy to digest and is rich in lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties that can help support a healthy gut microbiome," Parsad tells us. Sabat suggests going one step further and trying coconut kefir.
Yogurt is thought to reduce inflammation by improving the integrity of the intestinal lining. And, by bolstering this layer of tissue, endotoxins — produced by gut bacteria — cannot cross into the bloodstream and promote inflammation.
Bananas are versatile fruits with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that can help counteract inflammation and support the body's immune system. People may benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet and avoiding pro-inflammatory foods.
Coconut milk is the lower-calorie option with 45 calories, whereas a typical oat milk has 120 calories per serving. The calories come mostly from oat milk's extra carb count. Both coconut milk and oat milk are vegan, however, oat milk is not keto-compliant whereas most types of coconut milk are.
Almond milk has considerably fewer calories (17 per 100 grams) than coconut milk. Coconut milk is much richer in calories — 154-230 per 100 grams, depending on how thick the milk is. Thicker milk is higher in calories and fat.
The side effects of almond milk range from respiratory problems to an increased risk of thyroid problems. Furthermore, it may cause digestive troubles, cold-like symptoms, or skin reactions. Due to its affiliation with tree nuts, almond milk may cause allergic reactions in individuals who are sensitive to nuts.
Drinking your coffee black is going to be your best bet when it comes to fully enjoying its anti-inflammatory properties, as research has shown that diets higher in sugar can contribute to inflammation. If you're not a fan of black coffee, just try limiting your intake of added sugar and super sugary coffee creamers.
Cow milk also has Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which helps to lower blood cholesterol levels. Although milk has some inflammatory properties, cow milk is considered to be one of the best beverages for arthritis.