Book Review: Body On Fire, Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook

Body On Fire: Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook was written by Dr. Monica Aggarwal and Dr. Jyothi Rao and this volume is complementary to Body On Fire: How Inflammation Triggers Chronic Inness and the Tool We Have to Fight It. This cookbook also serves to remind you about the nature of inflammation and how it can relate to chronic illness by explaining why food is medicine to help support health and wellbeing, by providing an easy guide that features many scrumptious healthful recipes. 

MONICA AGGARWAL, MD, is board-certified in cardiology, echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology. She is focused on educating people about the importance of plant-based nutrition and its benefits in treating and potentially reversing chronic illness. 

JYOTHI RAO, MD, an A4M fellow, has worked in clinical practice since 1997. She is board certified in internal medicine as well as in anti-aging, functional, and regenerative medicine. She is a practitioner of integrative medicine and the medical director of Shakthi Health & Wellness Center in Maryland.

The authors believe that there is more to healing the body of excess inflammation than using pharmaceuticals, as such the pair of doctors strongly advocate how holistic lifestyle changes can be utilized to treat the root of the issue directly rather than just managing the symptoms. The knowledge provided in this book can help to empower the reader and lead to healing and enduring wellness. 

The main goal of the authors is to calm excess inflammation and reduce the risk of further complications and illness. While there are multiple steps involved with healing, such as dealing with stress which is discussed in this book, nutrition should be the first one to turn to along with a renewed focus on sleep, and movement, Drs. Aggarwal and Rao provide drug-free options for regaining health in this companion volume. 

Guidance, encouragement, and sound advice on healthful lifestyle options are offered on everything from the best times to eat and which foods affect sleep, exercise, and outlook to rediscovering the joys of cooking and budget-friendly options. The appealing recipes in the book use minimum amounts of salt and oil, are nutrient-dense as well as universally appealing, and deliver a health boost with each flavorful bite.

Making healthful food choices and improving your diet is among the easiest and most important lifestyle options you control that is an essential tool to reducing excess inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to injury but poor habits can cause chronic inflammation and put you at risk for developing illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and auto-immune disease among others. The right or wrong food choices make a difference in either reducing or contributing to further complications that can affect your healthspan and lifespan. 

The impact of your food choices, adequate sleep, and participating in regular physical activity, along with keeping stress in check and the importance of hydration are all crucial components to maintaining a longevity-promoting, anti-aging, healthy lifestyle. Cooking at home using whole foods can help you to feel your best and assist you with your journey to improvement. 

From smoothies, scrambles, puddings, breakfast muffins, soups, sandwiches, fragrant side dishes, dressings, salads, dips, sauces, satisfying main dishes, and special occasion treats this book is just loaded with colorful and delightful meals to help heal that will assist you with your journey to tackle inflammation while keeping both your tastebuds and digestive system happy.