8 Caribbean Cultural Foods for Combating Inflammation

However, chronic inflammation — which may be influenced by diet, inadequate sleep, and high stress levels — is linked to overweight and obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

Fortunately, studies have shown that some cultural foods common to the Caribbean region, as well as overall lifestyle habits, fight inflammation.

Here are 8 anti-inflammatory foods common to the Caribbean and its diasporas.

1. Cocoa and dark chocolate

The Caribbean has a longstanding history of producing quality cocoa products, with the Trinidad & Tobago Fine Cocoa Company among the oldest.

Flavanols — antioxidants found in cocoa products — have anti-inflammatory properties that may protect blood vessel health, potentially reducing your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. They may also improve exercise performance and recovery (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

Furthermore, flavanol-rich cocoa and dark chocolate guard against blood vessel damage from oxidative stress, which occurs with age and in people who smoke, by increasing nitric oxide production (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).

Nitric oxide is a compound that may reduce inflammation and support healthy blood flow (10Trusted Source).

The higher the percentage of cocoa that dark chocolate contains, the more flavanols and greater antioxidant properties it has — although it may be slightly less palatable, as high percentages of cocoa increase bitterness (7Trusted Source).

Enjoy dark chocolate bites for a snack or sip a warm cup of cocoa tea at night.

Shop for cocoa products from Trinidad & Tobago Fine Cocoa Company online.

SUMMARY

Flavanols in cocoa and dark chocolate may reduce inflammation and support your blood vessels, potentially reducing your risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

2. West Indian cherry (acerola)

West Indian cherry, also called acerola (Malpighia emarginata), is lauded for the high levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) that it provides (11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).

One cup (98 grams) of this fruit contains 1,650 mg of vitamin C. That’s 18 to 22 times the daily intake recommendation of 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men (14Trusted Source).

Vitamin C fights inflammation by reducing the number of free radicals — the by-products of metabolism — in the body. Current research is exploring its potential to reduce the risk of developing some cancers (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).

West Indian cherry is rich in other anti-inflammatory compounds, such as carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids, and may have anti-aging properties (11Trusted Source).

The fruit blooms between the spring and autumn and may be enjoyed raw or made into a juice.

SUMMARY

West Indian cherry (acerola) is a potent source of the anti-inflammatory antioxidant vitamin C. It provides up to 22 times the daily recommended value.

3. Pimento pepper

Peppers of the capsicum family, including pimento pepper (Capsicum annum), contain phytochemical compounds that may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (17Trusted Source).

These include flavonoids, quercetin, alkaloids, carotenoids, and capsaicinoids (17Trusted Source 

In animal studies, capsaicin — the spicy component of mild and hot peppers — reduced the release of pro-inflammatory compounds by adipose tissue in rats with obesity. It also reduced cell damage in the guts of mice (18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).

However, human research is needed.

The pimento pepper is related to the habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense), but it’s less spicy. It’s traditionally used to add flavor to myriad cooked dishes, including stews and soups.

SUMMARY

The pimento pepper, a member of the Capsicum pepper family, contains phytochemicals that may have anti-inflammatory properties. However, more human research is needed.

4. Red sorrel

Red sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa), also called roselle, is a mainstay in traditional medicine.

Both animal and human studies found that red sorrel may lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It may also reduce body weight, insulin resistance, and markers of inflammation (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).

One study determined that the plant is a good candidate to investigate for its role as an herbal supplement for cancer prevention and treatment. More human clinical trials are needed, though (26Trusted Source).

The benefits of red sorrel may be attributed to its abundance of anthocyanins, in addition to other polyphenols, and hibiscus acids (21Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).

Roselle tea is quite popular as a hot or cold beverage. In the Caribbean, fresh and dried leaves of the plant are primarily used to make the traditional Christmastime drink sorrel juice.

SUMMARY

Red sorrel, or roselle, tea is a popular beverage that may have anti-inflammatory properties. It may reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight, and insulin resistance.

5. Passion fruit

Extracts of the Passiflora family, including passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), have long been used in herbal medicines to treat anxiety and convulsive disorders (27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).

It contains potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, such as flavonoids, piceatannol, and triterpenoids, which may lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and high blood sugar levels (29Trusted Source, 30Trusted Source, 31Trusted Source).

One study found that piceatannol extract from passion fruit improved insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and heart rate in men with overweight. However, it didn’t have the same effect on women with moderate weight or women with overweight (32Trusted Source).

More human research is needed.

Passion fruit is tart, but you can eat it raw or make it into juice or lilikoi jelly, a staple breakfast food in Hawaiian culture.

SUMMARY

Passion fruit has anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce blood sugar and cholesterol. It may also have antihypertensive effects.

6. Curcumin (turmeric)

Curcumin may have anti-inflammatory health benefits that protect brain health and fight against diabetes, heart disease, bowel disease, arthritis, obesity-related inflammation, and cancer (33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source, 35Trusted Source, 36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source, 38Trusted Source).

Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric that provides the spice with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Combining curcumin with piperine, the active ingredient in black pepper, may enhance your body’s curcumin absorption, making more of this powerful compound available to reduce inflammation (39Trusted Source).

In the Caribbean, turmeric is commonly added to dishes prepared with Indian spices, including curry and geera (ground cumin).

7. Ginger

Ginger is common in cooked foods and hot beverages throughout the Caribbean.

Its major active components — 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol — improve enzyme pathways related to obesity-induced inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, aging, and neurocognitive diseases (40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source, 42Trusted Source, 43Trusted Source).

Studies show that whole ginger extract, or 6-shogaol, may reduce chronic lung inflammation. One in vitro study suggests that it could be used as a therapeutic treatment for asthma in the future (43Trusted Source).

However, more human research is needed.

SUMMARY

Ginger may have anti-inflammatory benefits that protect against rheumatoid arthritis, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. It’s being studied for potential use as an asthma treatment.

8. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is well-known for its role in reducing blood sugar levels (44Trusted Source).

Rats on a high fat diet supplemented with polyphenol extracts from cinnamon bark experienced a reduction in inflammation from adipose tissues and improved insulin resistance (45Trusted Source, 46Trusted Source).

However, human studies have yielded conflicting results.

For instance, one review showed that supplementation with cinnamon significantly reduced most markers of inflammation (47Trusted Source).

But on the other hand, two clinical trials in people with type 2 diabetes showed that cinnamon supplementation reduced cholesterol levels, but inconsistently reduced markers of inflammation (48Trusted Source, 49Trusted Source).

More research is needed, but studies suggest that cinnamon may be used as an adjunct to conventional medicine to combat inflammation.