The Worst Soup Ingredients For Inflammation Over 40, According To Dietitians

Heavy cream

Feder tells us that heavy cream is one of the worst soup ingredients for women over 40 because it contains a lot of inflammatory ingredients such as dairy, sugar, and unhealthy fats. As he notes, these ingredients can increase inflammation in the body, which can contribute to a slower metabolism and several unwanted symptoms such as bloating, gas, bad stools, fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and weakened immune system.

"Not to mention the high caloric content heavy cream has," Feder adds. "The high content of fat, calories, and sugar can contribute to increases in body weight, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure." Yikes! Instead, it’s best to replace heavy cream with unsaturated fats, such as olive oil or avocado, to add richness and flavor to your soup. As an added bonus, these unsaturated fats can actually reduce inflammation and help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Full-sodium broth

Full-sodium broth is another ingredient that can contribute to inflammation in the body. "The high salt content in full sodium broth can increase your blood pressure even more, damaging your blood vessels," warns Feder. High blood pressure can cause damage to the arteries and lead to inflammation in the body. 

But the health effects of all that salt don’t stop there. It’s also worth noting that a diet high in sodium has been linked to an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Say it ain’t so!  

Instead of using full-sodium broth, try using low-sodium broth or making your own broth using vegetables, herbs, and water. This will help you control the amount of sodium in your soup and reduce the risk of high blood pressure and inflammation.

The bottom line

Overall, heavy cream and full-sodium broth are two ingredients you should probably kick to the curb this winter if you want to keep inflammation to a minimum. By replacing these harmful ingredients with unsaturated fats and low-sodium broth, you’ll be able to lead an even healthier life–your body will thank you for it!