Plants Are Not Inflammatory

[Twega]

@Leo Gura has said in the comment section of this forum that  "plants can be very inflammatory" and that whether plants are beneficial or not  "it all depends." Other people have further propagated this myth in other posts. I will make no diet recommendations; I will only provide evidence from the literature on why plants are not inflammatory. (I KNOW THAT PLANTS MAKE SIBO WORSE, THIS IS WHY THIS ISNT A BLANKET RECOMMENDATION.)

1- Plants produce anti-inflammatory molecules as part of their defense mechanisms.

It makes no sense that plants would produce inflammatory compounds (some compounds in certain plants might be inflammatory). Leo's gut might react to plant compounds by releasing inflammatory compounds, yet the inflammation comes from the body, not the plant.

"Plants have played an important role in human health care since ancient times. In an adaptation against attacking pathogen and environmental stress, plants produce several substances that exert biological activities. These small organic molecules come from secondary metabolism and have several biological activities. Among the diverse functions, anti-inflammatory actions are highlighted [6,7]. It is known that inflammation is an evolutionarily conserved process of protection and a critical survival mechanism [8]. It is composed of complex sequential changes in the tissue to eliminate the initial cause of the cell injury, which may have been caused by infectious agents or substances from their metabolism (microorganisms and toxins), as well as by physical agents (radiation, burn, and trauma), or chemicals (caustic substances) [9,10]. The signs of inflammation are local redness, swelling, pain, heat, and loss of function [7]."

Reference: Plants as Sources of Anti-Inflammatory Agents

2- Some of the most well-researched, beneficial compounds in plants are pesticides.

Plants are so health-promoting, that even the pesticides they release are beneficial. Sulforaphane is the prime example. It is found in cruciferous vegetables and is produced by plants to deter pests.

List of research on sulforaphane:

• Sulforaphane's ability to enhance carcinogen excretion (benzene, acrolein). 
• NRF2 as a genetic switch via antioxidant response elements.
• How NRF2 activation enhances carcinogen excretion via glutathione-S-conjugates.
• Brussels sprouts increase glutathione-S-transferase and reduce DNA damage.
• Broccoli sprout drink increases benzene excretion by 61%.
• Broccoli sprout homogenate increases antioxidant enzymes in the upper airway
• Cruciferous vegetable consumption and heart disease mortality.
• Broccoli sprout powder improves blood lipids and overall heart disease risk in type 2 diabetics.
• Sulforaphane-enriched diet enhances the lifespan of beetles from 15 to 30% (in certain conditions).
• Importance of low inflammation for longevity.
• Cruciferous vegetables and broccoli sprout powder seem to reduce a wide variety of inflammatory markers in humans.
• Mouse studies suggest sulforaphane might improve adaptive immune function in old age. 
• Sulforaphane improved hair growth in a mouse model of balding.
• Effect of broccoli sprout extract on autism. 
• Effect of glucoraphanin on schizophrenia.
• Mouse's study using 10 different models of stress-induced depression show sulforaphane similarly effective as fluoxetine
• Study shows direct ingestion of glucoraphanin in mice is similarly effective at preventing depression from social defeat stress model. 00:33:01 - Beginning of neurodegeneration section
• Sulforaphane and Alzheimer's disease.
• Sulforaphane and Parkinson's disease
• Sulforaphane and Hungtington's disease. 
• Sulforaphane increases heat shock proteins.
• Sulforaphane injected immediately after TBI improves memory (mouse study).
• Sulforaphane and neuronal plasticity.
• Sulforaphane improves learning in a model of type II diabetes in mice.
• Sulforaphane and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
• Myostatin inhibition in muscle satellite cells (in vitro).

Reference: Video

Other beneficial compounds used by plants for protection (from pests, from oxygen, from environmental stressors) include:

1. Resveratrol

2. Curcumin

3. Allicin

4. Nicotine

5. Caffeine

6. Polyphenols / Antioxidants

 

3- Psychedelics are plant compounds

 

Note: I know Leo has unique health issues and that is probably why he said that. I wish more carnivore/keto advocates would just be honest and say that they react badly to plants but that does not mean plants are bad!  I