Proven: processed foods cause 27 chronic diseases

0

A new review published in the journal Advances in Nutrition, provides compelling evidence that pro-inflammatory diets high in processed foods increase the risk of 27 chronic diseases and premature death.

What's more, reducing inflammation through better nutrition can reduce the risk of some chronic diseases.

Clear evidence

A pro-inflammatory diet is a diet that, in the long run, can lead to increased inflammation in the body. Such a diet often includes high amounts of commercial baked goods, fried foods, and fatty meats and at the same time is low in fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods.

The authors pooled data from 15 meta-analyses that represent the type of research , which summarizes the data of many individual studies. As a result, they studied 38 health indicators of four million people from around the world.

Scientists have found strong evidence of a link between pro-inflammatory diets and heart attacks, premature death, and some cancers, including colon, pancreatic, respiratory, and oral cancers. Pro-inflammatory diets have also been shown to be associated with depression.

“We can tell if chronic inflammation is present with a simple blood test that measures the levels of inflammatory markers in the blood. Our diet is one of the many factors that influence the levels of these inflammatory markers,” the authors write.

Despite the promising marketing claims you may see online, there is no magic supplement or superfood to fight it all our inflammation.

What to do?

Load your plate with a variety of plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes like chickpeas and lentils.

Season your food liberally with herbs and spices and drink tea and coffee regularly.

Eat fatty fish regularly.

Reduce your intake of foods that can fuel inflammation: foods with high content of trans fats and saturated fats, which are found in commercial baked goods, fried foods and fatty meats.