Foods for inflammation
What APEX holds on the table for inflammation: the foods it leads with, each with where it comes from and why it is ours. Not a treatment plan — the food, and the reason it is on the list.
Compiled by APEX Legacy from published research and documented food
history, under the editorial direction of
Jonathan Jackson, Founder .
How we write and review these pages →
Vegetables
Cabbage Fried cabbage is a Southern staple — caramelized, savory, and on every soul food table. Cornmeal-Fried Green Tomatoes Firm, unripe green tomatoes sliced thick, dredged in seasoned cornmeal, and fried crisp… Fried Green Tomatoes Unripe green tomatoes sliced thick, dredged in seasoned cornmeal and flour, and pan-fried… Northern Smothered Cabbage with Smoked Turkey Cabbage slow-smothered with smoked turkey, onion, and a little broth until silky. Sesame Herb Leaves The sesame plant — called benne by the Gullah Geechee people of the South Carolina and… Red Sorrel Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf (roselle leaf) — the tart, antioxidant-rich cooking green of…
Drinks
Sassafras Tea Spring tonic of the Deep South. Brewed from sassafras root bark, it has cleaned blood and… Muscadine Wine Homemade wine fermented from muscadine grapes — thick-skinned, intensely sweet, and musky… Juneteenth Red Drink The ceremonial red drink of Juneteenth — traditionally steeped from hibiscus and spiced… Hibiscus Tea APEX's tier-1 beverage. West African zobo. 2-3 cups daily linked to measurable blood…
Fruit
Watermelon An African fruit with 5,000 years of history. Blood pressure benefits, summer hydration… Muscadine Jelly Deep purple jelly made from wild muscadine grapes gathered from the woods and fencerows. Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina/glabra — the fuzzy red berry cones of wild sumac, soaked in cool water into…
Dishes & One-Pots
Gumbo Gumbo is not a recipe. It's a worldview. Okra from West Africa, roux from France, filé… Red Rice (Gullah) This is not 'tomato rice.' Gullah red rice is the direct American descendant of West… Catfish Stew (Delta Style) A thin, tomato-and-onion catfish stew built from river fish, the cheapest protein the… Shrimp Creole Gulf shrimp simmered in a tomato gravy built on the holy trinity — onion, celery, bell… Shrimp Perloo Fresh creek shrimp folded into rice that has steamed in shrimp stock and bacon drippings… Coleslaw The fish sandwich always comes with slaw. The rib plate always comes with slaw.
Seafood
Blackened Redfish Red drum fillets coated in cayenne-paprika-thyme spice and seared in a screaming-hot… Crab Cakes Maryland blue crab, barely bound, barely filled — real Chesapeake crab cakes let the crab…
Sunday & Celebration
Father's Day Fish Fry The Father's Day fish fry — whiting, catfish, or porgies fried golden in cornmeal, served…
Herbs & Spices
Sassafras Root Sassafras albidum — the aromatic root dug for spring tonics and the original root beer…
Meat & Poultry
Smothered Chicken Chicken braised low and slow in a thick onion gravy. The gravy is the soul of this dish…
Also on the table
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APEX Legacy is an AI intelligence layer for Black Americans — the food,
the history, and what the research says, in one place.
Wellness and educational information only. It is not medical advice, and
it does not diagnose or treat any condition. Talk to your own clinician
about your care.