What Drinks Are Good For Inflammation? | 7 Best Anti-Inflammatory Drinks

Other than food, drinks are the most important thing in your diet to reduce inflammation. This post will share the best anti-inflammatory drinks that you can easily make at home. Way more affordable than fancy juice shots!

Have you ever tried those little juice shots in your local grocery store or fancy juice shops? Often created to be anti-inflammatory, they are gaining much fanfare. I noticed that a lot of people have been posting about these amazing juices so I thought I'd take a "shot" at listing my favorite homemade drinks that effectively reduce inflammation.

The best anti-inflammatory drink recipes I've chosen to list can be easily prepared at home...so you don't have to spend $7 on 3 oz of juice! Another unfortunate reality of store-bought juice shots is that they often contain loads of sugar that essentially counteract any anti-inflammatory benefits.

These homemade drinks, on the other hand, allow you to control the amount of natural sweetener added. They all include ingredients known to reduce inflammation in the body along with other health-enhancing attributes. Keep reading to access the list, and learn a thing or two about inflammation along the way!

What is an Anti-Inflammatory Diet?

So, first things first: What the heck is an “anti-inflammatory diet” and why is it so important? Let's start with inflammation. When our bodies encounter a foreign element (including a chemical, plant pollen, an invading microbe, or some other form of infection-causing agent), it activates our immune system. This often triggers inflammation to protect you and fight the illness.

But (and yes, there's a huge but!) when inflammation lasts too long, or when inflammation occurs without anything threatening, your body is left in persistent disruption, discomfort, and pain. That's where the anti-inflammatory diet and my best anti-inflammatory drinks come in! Integrating foods with anti-inflammatory properties (as well as drinks) helps to regulate and reduce an overzealous inflammatory response.

Did You Know? Various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart problems, depression, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s, are often associated with chronic inflammation. In these cases especially, there is a need to minimize inflammation and relieve pain. Learn More Here.

What Anti-Inflammatory Fruits and Veggies Should I Add to My Drinks?

Here are some fruits and veggies you can add to your drink to reduce inflammation!

• berries
• coconut
• dark, leafy greens (like kale and spinach are often found in my best anti-inflammatory drinks)
• red grapes
• avocado
• broccoli
• tomatoes (but only if you're not sensitive to nightshades - otherwise it may have the opposite effect)
• green tea (matcha)
• spices, like pepper, turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon
• dark chocolate
• chia seeds
• citrus (like oranges and lemons)
• natural sweeteners (like dates and pure maple syrup)
• root starches (like sweet potatoes and beets)

How Do I Reduce Inflammation in The Gut?

Knowing how to reduce inflammation in the gut is a growing concern for many. My best anti-inflammatory drinks can help but there's more you can do. If you've been dealing with inflammation in the gut here are some ways that will reduce it.

1. Minimize your intake of processed foods: Most highly processed food has ingredients that disrupt the natural balance of your gut bacteria (which is a top cause of inflammation). It can make you feel sluggish and bloated.
2. Try an elimination diet: By tracking your eating habits, you can pinpoint which foods cause an inflammatory response. Knowledge is always the first step! You may find that you'll need to limit soy, dairy, citrus fruits, nightshade vegetables, and/ or foods that contain gluten.
3. Take probiotics: Your gut needs healthy bacteria - aka probiotics - to fight various digestive problems. Adding foods high in probiotics (like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kimchi can help prevent inflammation in the gut.

*Inflammation left unchecked and untreated can lead to chronic inflammatory conditions (like skin problems, mood issues, fatigue, and many more). Keep reading to learn about the best drinks to lower inflammation!

What Are The Best Anti-Inflammatory Drinks?

When I was struggling with severe inflammation, it was a journey to discover the right drinks that could help (and also taste good). After much trial and error, I've perfected these easy to make best anti-inflammatory drinks that you can make at home! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

1. Avocado Kale Smoothie

If you love avocado and kale then you need to try out this smoothie! It's a beautiful green smoothie brimming with antioxidants that are proven to help reduce inflammation.

2. Green Tea

Did you know that green tea can reduce flare-ups? The flavonoids in green tea help fight inflammation in the body. The component epigallocatechin gallate in green tea has anti-inflammatory effects and protects cell DNA. There are also antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties in green tea which work against inflammation.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar Elixir

If you think that apple cider is only made for weight loss, guess again! This pantry staple has more than meets the eye. Apple cider vinegar actually contains vitamins and antioxidants that help speed up the healing process. I know it's not exactly the best tasting drink but you can always mix it up with a teaspoon of honey.

4. Lemon Ginger Turmeric Tea

Nothing says anti-inflammatory more than some turmeric! Research has shown (again and again) that this vibrant yellow root has anti-inflammatory properties. Specifically, curcuminoid is an anti-inflammatory compound that reduces pain, stiffness, and joint inflammation. A true winner in my list of best anti-inflammatory drinks!

5. Blueberry Muffin Protein Smoothie

Thanks to the anthocyanin found in blueberries you'll surely get your antioxidant fix from this creamy smoothie! It's so simple and yet so delicious...even without any sweeteners, or processed junk!

This is one of my fave smoothies for after a workout and I ALWAYS add cleanish Brand Plant-Based Protein Powder to help build and repair muscles. You can't beat this drink! This flavorful smoothie has anti-inflammatory properties and supplies a BIG protein boost. (Each scoop of powder has 20 grams!)

6. Green Protein Smoothie

I know you must be thinking, "Not another green smoothie, Lacey" but I'm telling you that is. the. one. that you'll want to make over and over again. It's simple, healthy, and PACKED with antioxidants that will reduce inflammation. *Made with wholesome ingredients like banana, coconut, and some baby spinach.

7. Chai Latte

And I don't mean the boxed kind! Traditional homemade chai tea is a super blend of herbs known for their anti-inflammatory benefits. Herbs such as cinnamon, star anise, clove, ginger, and cardamom are PACKED with antioxidants. They also improve digestion, alleviate nausea, and are great for your immune system, too!

Something else you're gonna love about this delicious drink is that you can easily add cleanish Brand Collagen Peptides for an extra boost. Collagen does amazing things for our skin, hair and joints, and cleanish collagen has Vitamin C + Hyaluronic acid, along with Types I + III collagen. Awesome and oh-so healthy!

How Else Can I Reduce Inflammation?

At this point, you no longer have to worry about second-guessing which healthy elixir you'll need for inflammation flare-ups. And, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Due to its importance, I have lots more anti-inflammatory content.

• 18 Top Anti-Inflammatory Foods
• Is Dairy Inflammatory?
• What is Inflammation? Signs, Causes, and What You Can Do To Get Rid of It

If you're ready to shift into a certified anti-inflammatory diet, check out my 5-Day Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Plan. As the name suggests, I created it to reduce inflammation while also providing all the macronutrients and nutrition needed to keep your body healthy.

This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.