Recently, one of our employees had to have a wisdom tooth pulled. (In the interest of protecting the privacy of his extracted tooth, he’ll remain anonymous.) The procedure went well, but the recovery was challenging for him. For about a week, he couldn't chew hearty foods, and his jaw still ached. Recovery experiences can vary from case to case, but anecdotally, he reported that consuming kencko reds and purples smoothies seemed to help alleviate the discomfort.

He wondered whether it was the anti-inflammatory benefits associated with berries. We’re firm believers that food can be a helpful tool in managing one’s health, and it can have a transformative impact. But can eating foods rich in antioxidants make that big of a difference in discomfort from a procedure like the one our employee had?

So we sent him on a quest to find out

He decided the best course of action was to check in with one of kencko’s incredible in-house Registered Dietitians, Barbara. Here’s what she had to say on the subject: 

“There are a few research studies that showed antioxidant supplementation (specifically vitamin C) aided in tooth extraction wound healing, along with a reduction in post-operative pain. This is suspected to be because antioxidants may help control wound oxidative stress which can potentially accelerate wound healing. In addition to this, some antioxidants, like vitamin C, have anti-inflammatory properties which can help with pain management by reducing inflammation in the affected areas. More studies are needed on antioxidants and dental procedures but so far the research is promising!

So it seems that at the very least, going out of his way to consume more antioxidant-rich foods after oral surgery may have helped. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best whole food sources of antioxidants. We aren’t all having wisdom tooth procedures done anytime soon, but we can all probably benefit from a little less inflammation!

Berry nice!

Strawberry season is at its peak right now, and that’s absolutely fantastic news in light of our realization around antioxidants! This delightful fruit is perfect for snacking at work, mixing with yogurt for a quick parfait, or enjoying it on its own as a delicious dessert. But most relevant to our discussion here, strawberries are full of antioxidants, and a great example of how just by pursuing foods you already love, you might be inadvertently combating inflammation in your body.

Plenty of other tasty staples also boast anti-inflammatory properties. Strawberries are far from unique in the fruit kingdom for their high antioxidant figures – they’re up there with blueberries, oranges, and cherries, for example. Tomatoes are a great source as well – yes, they are technically a fruit, as well, but who’s counting? A handful of roasted, lightly salted nuts packs a powerful antioxidant punch. When you saute some leafy greens in a glug of olive oil, that’s a double whammy antioxidant-wise. And a nice dinner centered around some juicy salmon or a tuna steak is an example of a non-plant-based option that’s teeming with antioxidants.

Meanwhile, certain foods that have been deep fried, sugary sodas, processed meats, and some refined carbs have been shown to have the opposite effect, and may actually contribute to inflammation.

What about a true anti-inflammatory diet?

With that in mind, you might jump to the conclusion that you should exclusively eat foods with lots of antioxidants and avoid anything that causes inflammation like the plague. An anti-inflammatory diet – also regularly referred to as the Mediterranean diet – is more or less that. And based on what you’ve read so far, you might assume it would make you invincible!

While it’s true an anti-inflammatory diet comes with numerous health benefits, like lowered blood pressure, improved mental health, and the partial alleviation of some chronic conditions, you know what else is also true? Bread tastes great, and most Mediterranean cultures sure enjoy their bread! Enjoying what you eat within a balance of eating the right nutrients can also accomplish these feats.

We believe that all foods fit. Totally depriving yourself of things you enjoy in the pursuit of an inflammation-less existence might ultimately cause you more stress, leading to – you guessed it – more inflammation, anyway.