Inflammatory material from meat and dairy linked to chronic diseases
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More than half of global deaths are attributed to chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and certain cancers and inflammation is a key feature of all these. This study looked at how different diets affect inflammation in around 12,000 people. They found that diets that followed the Dietary Guidelines for Americans with a plant-based emphasis, lowered inflammation more than following the guidelines alone.
Replacing animal-based foods with vegetables, fruits, nuts and pulses significantly reduced inflammation as these foods contain compounds such as dietary fibre, vitamins, polyphenols and unsaturated fatty acids which reduce inflammation. Animal-based foods and unhealthy plant-based foods increased inflammation. The authors suggest improving guidelines to focus more on plant-based diet quality.
Wang YB, Page AJ, Gill TK et al. 2023. The association between diet quality, plant-based diets, systemic inflammation, and mortality risk: findings from NHANES. European Journal of Nutrition. doi: 10.1007/s00394-023-03191-z.