“Anti-inflammatory foods provide us with antioxidants, which eat away at the free radicals produced in our bodies,” says Lilian Nwora Shepherd, a registered dietitian and personal trainer. “Free radicals are basically unstable atoms in cells that can cause irritation, cell damage and, of course, inflammation.”

These types of food have also been shown to help prevent conditions that are caused or exacerbated by chronic inflammation, such as “arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and so on”, says Sheperd.

As with so many things, it all comes down to the overwhelming role the gut plays on our wellbeing. Anti-inflammatory foods tend to be plant-based, and as such, help to feed and promote the growth of good bacteria in the microbiome. Given how powerful the gut is, if you start to concentrate on improving digestion, you’ll also end up potentially improving your immunity, mental health, sleep and more. Sheperd flags that you might have inflammation if you’ve got an overgrowth of bad bacteria so are dealing with digestive symptoms.

Feeling bloated? Then it's time to eat more anti-inflammatory foods (here are 8 of the best)