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Sure, pretzels are low in fat and are not fried. But these snacks are typically made from refined white flour, an ingredient that may be pro-inflammatory. Choose whole-grain snacks like whole-grain crackers, air-popped popcorn, or veggie chips instead of refined white flour-forward snacks.
An ounce of pretzels also supplies 0.9 gram of fiber, which is only about 3 to 5 percent of the 20 to 30 grams of fiber adults should have each day, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. One ounce of pretzels contains 1.55 milligrams of iron, a nutrient that’s essential for making red blood cells .
With only 0.1 grams of saturated fat per serving, pretzels may be a healthier option than several other packaged snacks. “They can be a better alternative than crunchy snacks like potato chips, which are typically fried and can be high in saturated fat,” says Mia Syn, RDN.
However, given that most wheat flour is enriched with extra nutrients, pretzels contain some B vitamins, such as thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. These vitamins help your body convert food into sugars that can be used for energy ( 5 ).
What Is Inflammation And Why Do We Need It?
When our bodies recognize a foreign invader—such as a microbe, plant pollen, or chemical—our immune system lights up. This process is called inflammation. Like iron, we need some inflammation in order to be well. Inflammation is a vital part of our immune system. It signals the body to heal and repair.
A host of factors cause inflammation. To name a few: Smoking, obesity, alcohol, and chronic stress. From unhealthy lifestyle habits to eating ultra-processed foods, inflammation can quickly spin out of control.
Yes. As mentioned, we need some inflammation. You want to meet adequate levels of inflammation to support your body’s immune system. Without inflammation, wounds would take longer to heal and infections could become deadly. However, too much inflammation can be dangerous. When inflammation persists on a daily basis, that’s when it can do harm.
Growing evidence indicates that inflammation affects how we feel. Said differently: Too much inflammation can negatively affect mental health. In terms of brain health, specifically, too much inflammation is correlated to a variety of mental illnesses. Inflammation is capable of producing depression, anxiety, fatigue, and social withdrawal.
Like mental health, inflammation also affects the rest of your body. Chronic, low-level inflammation is partially responsible for a host of unwanted diseases and conditions. With acute inflammation (say, you fall and scrape your knee), chemicals from your body’s white blood cells are released to protect your body from invaders.
Other than the aforementioned tell-tale signs, the most common way to measure inflammation is to conduct a blood test for C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). This is a marker of inflammation. Doctors also measure homocysteine levels to evaluate chronic inflammation, as well as blood sugar to assess damage to red blood cells.
Beyond lifestyle habits, there are certain ingredients that can also promote inflammation. While this varies from person to person, fast food, high-sodium frozen meals, omega-6 vegetable oils, and conventionally-raised, processed meats have been associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers.
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