Following an anti-inflammatory diet significantly lowers risk of cardiovascular mortality, researchers state

Researchers are constantly on a lookout for foods that can help lower the risk of cardiovascular mortality and today, we have come across a study that states that a diet rich in fruits, canola oil, vegetables, whole grain bread and nuts, among other things, can help lower the risk of just that. The study, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine suggests that those who closely follow an anti-inflammatory diet have an 18% lower risk of all-cause mortality.

“Our dose-response analysis showed that even partial adherence to the anti-inflammatory diet may provide a health benefit,” said lead author Joanna Kaluza, Associate Professor at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland. The researchers found that not only does an anti-inflammatory diet put you at a 20% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality but also a 13% lower risk of cancer mortality.

It was also found that smokers who followed the diet experienced even greater benefits when compared with smokers who did not follow the diet, the team said. The potential of this diet was estimated using the validated anti-inflammatory diet index (AIDI), which includes 11 potential anti-inflammatory and five potential pro-inflammatory foods.

What does the list of 'anti-inflammatory' foods consist of? Anti-inflammatory foods consist of fruits and vegetables, tea, coffee, whole grain bread, breakfast cereal, low-fat cheese, olive oil and canola oil, nuts, chocolate, and moderate amounts of red wine and beer. Pro-inflammatory foods include unprocessed and processed red meat, organ meats, chips, and soft-drink beverages, the team of researchers stated.