Here’s the short version on a couple of food trends so that you have your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the food world.

1. Immunity booster or defensive foods: Think of these foods like a bullet proof vest. These products and foods claim to defend or strengthen your immunity or immune system.  Foods with healthy bacteria called probiotics as well as foods and products with various antioxidants are included in this category.

2. Anti-inflammatory foods: Inflammation can be good or bad. It’s good when you stump your toe or cut yourself because your immune system kicks in to jump start the healing process. Inflammation is not so good when it becomes chronic inflammation in your body. This more invisible type of inflammation potentially affects the risk for many common diseases from heart disease and auto immune illness like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis to some cancers, diabetes, and even stroke. Inflammation raises the level of what’s called C-reactive protein or CRP for short. Foods such as cherries and the Mediterranean-style of eating fall into this anti-inflammatory category.