Hello! Let me ask you something: have you ever woken up, looked in the mirror and thought, “Oh my God, what happened to my eyelids? Why am I so swollen?
” Or maybe your fingers felt a little “rusty” early on when brushing your teeth? And that redness on your face that seems to have set in to stay, even after investing in one of those very expensive creams? You know what's curious?
Many people go through this without imagining that food could be lighting a real silent fire inside the body. In my office, I have seen cases of patients who seemed to have “aged 10 years in a few months” — swollen face, pain when walking and endless tiredness. But when we adjust their diet, they almost can't believe what they see in the mirror: the swelling goes down, the dark circles disappear, the skin clears up.
It's as if the body finally breathes a sigh of relief. Today I'm going to show you the 10 foods that cause inflammation, swelling, pain and discomfort. But beyond that, I'm going to reveal 7 physical signs (some very curious) that may indicate that your body is trying to save itself.
And, as a bonus, I'm going to teach you a simple test that almost no one knows about, so you can find out if a specific food is sabotaging your health. Stay with me until the end to find out. But first, enjoy the video, subscribe to the channel so you don't miss our health tips and activate the bell to receive notifications.
And also spread this knowledge with your friends and family. By sharing, you help more people. So share it there!
And tell me: Have you ever suspected that your diet could be harming your well-being? What part of Brazil or the world are you from? Write below!
Let's go As the years go by, chronic inflammation — that which makes no noise, but wears down your body from the inside, your well-being day after day — is not limited to just the pain you feel or visible changes, nor to those diseases confirmed by tests . It leaves clues, subtle signs on the body. Just like a patient of mine who only discovered a heart problem through one of his ears (the famous “Frank Sign”), there are 7 other lesser-known signs that may indicate that your body is complaining about your diet.
If you notice any of these, it might be time to review what you're putting on your plate. 1st Sign: Tongue with Thick Coating or “Geographic Tongue” Have you ever noticed if your tongue is whitish, yellowish or full of strange reddish spots, looking like a map? Well, that tongue could reflect problems in the intestine, dysbiosis, suggesting that something is causing internal inflammation.
A diet that promotes inflammation in the intestine can alter the balance of the oral and gastrointestinal microbiota, leaving the tongue looking like this. 2nd Sign 2: Weak, brittle or white-spotted nails Nails are like windows to our internal nutrition. If they break easily, curl or have persistent white dots, this may indicate that your body does not absorb certain nutrients well.
And what can hinder this absorption? one of the things is subclinical inflammation caused by certain foods. By changing your diet and reducing inflammation, nail health usually improves.
3rd Sign: Reddish Skin, Rosacea or Visible Veins on the Face You know that very red color, like a tomato, that doesn't disappear, no matter how much you try to hide it with makeup or expensive creams? A patient of mine swore it was just shyness, but when she changed her diet, the constant “flushing” disappeared. The skin, after all, is a mirror of what happens inside.
4th Sign: Swelling in the Face and Eyelids When Waking Up That swollen face is not just fluid retention — it could be your lymphatic system complaining about foods that inflame and hinder good circulation. When cutting certain villains, many wake up with a more “rested” and lighter face. 5th Sign: Acne on the Chin or Jaw in Adults Pimples after the age of 30 or 40 are not a mere coincidence.
By eliminating certain inflammatory foods, the skin calms down and late-onset acne goes away. Sometimes it's not just the hormones that are going crazy. The body talks to us, and sometimes this conversation appears in the form of persistent pimples.
6th Sign: Joint Pain Right After Getting Out of Bed Waking up and feeling a stiff knee, the fingers stiff, as if the body had rusted overnight. Did you know that joint pain, especially in the morning, can indicate generalized inflammation? Many think this is an age thing, and it may be, but less inflammation, more mobility.
7th Sign: Persistent Dark Circles and Tired Appearance Despite Sleeping Well I know people who sleep 8 hours a night and still look exhausted. By balancing the diet, the dark circles under the eyes diminished and the look became more alive. Circulation improves, the vessels contract less, and this has a direct impact on your morning expression.
No more spending tons of money on concealers! Sometimes the solution is in the dish, not on the bathroom shelf. Have you recognized any of these signs?
If so, don't worry: there are ways to reverse this situation. And of course, share it now with someone you know has been suffering from this. Now let’s get to the crucial point: which foods, when consumed in excess, act as “fuel” for internal inflammation.
10th: Refined Vegetable Oils You know those soy, corn and canola oils that used to be cheap and are now increasingly expensive? In addition to being heavy on your pocket, they unbalance the balance between “good” and “ bad” fats within your body. These oils are rich in a type of fat (omega-6) that, without the counterbalance of healthier fats (such as omega-3), can fuel an inflammatory scenario, such as irritated skin, pain upon waking, low libido and unexplained tiredness.
9th food: Processed Meats (Sausage, Sausage, Ham) Who has never turned to sausage or sausage for a quick snack? The problem is that these products are loaded with preservatives and chemical substances that inflame the body, cause swelling, discomfort and even impact your mood. 8th: Conventional Ultrapasteurized Dairy Products Not all milk is bad, but the level of processing makes a difference.
Research shows that intensive industrial treatment of milk can change the structure of its proteins and fats, affecting the way the body reacts to it. In laboratory studies it was observed that: * The traditional pasteurization process appears to maintain an anti-inflammatory profile, or at least similar to that of unprocessed milk. * UHT (ultrapasteurized) milk can induce an increase in the production of pro-inflammatory substances in intestinal cells.
In other words, the more milk is “forced” to adapt to the shelves, prolonging its shelf life and altering its original nature, the greater the chance of your body complaining of swelling, bloating and subtle signs of inflammation. If you drink these dairy products and keep feeling heavy or uncomfortable, it may be time to try less processed, fresher or fermented versions, which tend to be better accepted by the body. 7th: WHITE FLOURS Bread for breakfast, pasta for dinner, cupcakes for lunch.
Refined flour enters the body quickly, causing spikes in blood sugar. This constant up-and-down stimulates inflammatory responses, which can manifest in joint stiffness, a swollen face and even blemishes on the skin. By switching to “real” whole grains, you give your body a more stable and less incendiary fuel.
6th: Sugar and Corn Syrup Of course I was going to talk about sugar and high- fructose corn syrup (present in many industrialized products) they are like sparks that light the fire of inflammation. Every sip of soda or bite of sugar-filled candy can fuel the imbalance, resulting in persistent dark circles and even headaches. 5th: Industrialized Fruit Juices Anyone who looks at a boxed juice might even imagine something healthy, but the reality is that the fiber in the fruit is missing and there is a lot of sugar.
Without the “protection network” of fiber, sugar enters the body quickly, disrupting the internal balance and slowly causing inflammation. 4th: Fried foods When food is dipped in hot oil (generally oil that has already been abused by use), it forms compounds that irritate the body. Pastries, drumsticks, French fries: delicious, but dangerous in excess.
3rd: Ultra-processed foods with chemical additives Stuffed biscuits, snacks, ready-made sauces. . .
I just made a video about ultra-processed foods. . .
Watch it. I'll leave the link on final… They are formulated in the laboratory to have an irresistible flavor, but they almost always contain a “complete package” of chemical additives. These additives accumulate and deregulate the intestine, circulation and the signals your body sends.
Result? Silent inflammation. #2: Sugary Breakfast Cereals and Fake “Fitness” Bars They market themselves as healthy, but are often more like candy disguised as breakfast food.
Sugar, dyes, preservatives: all of this affects your intestinal microbiota and stimulates inflammation. You think you are taking care of your health, but your body says otherwise. 1st: Charred Meats That “burnt crust” from the barbecue?
Well, it's actually a cocktail of inflammatory compounds. These compounds called AGEs create a kind of internal “rust” that can result in joint pain, fatigue and a more haggard appearance in the mirror. But look closely… None of these foods need to be banned forever, but understanding what they do internally helps you choose more consciously.
Cut back, replace with more natural versions and watch your body react. Over time, you may notice more even skin, less painful joints, and a clearer , sharper mind. In other words, your body recovering and thriving again.
. . And don't worry, you won't live on wind or light.
There are simple solutions that have already transformed the lives of many patients: How to Reverse and Relieve Inflammation * Focus on Natural Anti-Inflammatories: Avocado, red fruits, fish rich in omega-3 (can be sardines), turmeric, ginger, green tea. People who exchange “ hidden poisons” for these foods often wake up without that swelling on their face. * Replace Refined Grains with Real Whole Grains: Brown rice, oats, quinoa.
Make your bread and cornbread at home with whole grains! When making this switch, many report feeling lighter in their bodies. (and it's much tastier, seriously) * Marinate Meat to Avoid Toxic Compounds: Seasoning the meat before cooking, using lemon, garlic and herbs, can make all the difference.
There are studies indicating that marinade with rosemary helps reduce toxic compounds formed during cooking at high temperatures. Try! This way you reduce the inflammatory impact!
* Strengthen your Intestinal Flora: Kefir, natural yogurt, kombucha, fiber. A balanced intestine results in better skin, a calmer face and a lighter head. If you want me to make a video on how to improve intestinal flora, write it down and I'll do it.
* Hydrate yourself well: Drnking water throughout the day helps maintain internal balance, promotes circulation, aids intestinal function and supports the body in the task of “cleansing” inflammatory substances. It can be water, sparkling water, water with lemon. Good hydration makes a difference in the appearance of your skin, your energy level and even your feeling of lightness when you wake up.
* Sleep Well and Move: Poor sleep and a sedentary lifestyle also cause inflammation. Rest better for a few nights and then tell me if your dark circles haven't diminished. Add movement to your routine — it could be walking or light stretching.
It's almost magical to see how small changes transform the body and mind. I know it may seem simple, but believe me: small changes create huge impacts. Now, that promised tip, almost a “office secret”.
This simple test can help you understand whether a specific food is generating hidden reactions in your body. It is not a medical diagnosis, but it serves as a “yellow beacon”, indicating that it is worth paying attention to what is on your plate. Prepared?
It is the “Coca Pulse Test” 1. Fast for 2 hours. This way you “reset the timer” of your metabolism and ensure a more stable baseline.
2. Count your heartbeat for 1 minute, at rest. Write down this initial value.
This will be your reference. 3. Eat the suspicious food (for example, that white bread that you think might be hurting you).
You don't need to exaggerate, just enough to observe a possible reaction. 4. After 15-20 minutes, count the beats again.
Stay at rest, relaxed, just like the first count. 5. Compare the results.
If they go up more than 10-12 beats per minute in relation to the initial value, it may be an indication that your body does not deal well with that food, possibly triggering an inflammatory or sensitivity response, but of course, it does not replace an adequate professional assessment. Did you like the video? Now you know what to do, right!
Like, share… Want more? I'm going to leave two videos * One about ultra-processed foods — which is important to understand about the dangers. * And Another about anti-inflammatory foods.
My name is André Wambier, cardiologist, and this is cardiodf. com. br.
Remember to subscribe to the channel. And until the next video. Thank you very much!