Do anti-inflammatory diets really work?

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An anti-inflammatory diet is rich in foods containing health-promoting antioxidants, polyphenols, and other immune-boosting compounds that have the potential to fight inflammation in the body.
anti-inflammatory diet
rich
antioxidants
polyphenols
inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury and infection. However, experts link persistent and chronic inflammation to insulin resistance and an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other chronic conditions.
chronic inflammation
insulin resistance
diabetes
heart disease
cancer
Alzheimer’s disease
Foods with anti-inflammatory properties include, but are not limited to:
herbs and spices, such as turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, pepper, and rosemary
herbs and spices
turmeric
cinnamon
ginger
garlic
rosemary
fruit, including pineapple, papaya, mango, berries, and acerola cherry
pineapple
papaya
mango
vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables, and zucchini
carrots
pumpkin
zucchini
peas and beans, such as pinto beans, chickpeas, lentils, and black-eyed peas
beans
chickpeas
lentils
black-eyed peas
oily fish and other omega-3 sources, including sardines, salmon, mackerel, herring, and fish oil
oily fish
sardines
salmon
mackerel
herring
fish oil
dairy, such as yogurt
yogurt
whole grains, such as corn, cornmeal, and whole grain pasta, bread, and rice
corn
whole grain pasta
rice
How does an anti-inflammatory diet work?
According to research, several foods cause inflammation in the body, including highly refined carbohydrates and added sugars, red meat, trans and saturated fats, and salt.
research
refined carbohydrates
sugars
red meat
trans
saturated fats
salt
Although there is no well-defined anti-inflammatory diet, there are broad recommendations for foods to get more of and those to get less of to treat inflammation in the body.
Furthermore, studies show that diets not designed as anti-inflammatory have inflammation-lowering benefits, and health experts recommend them for general good health.
For instance, the Mediterranean diet and the dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet — designed to reduce the risk of heart disease and blood pressure, respectively — are effective anti-inflammatory diets.
Mediterranean diet
dietary approaches to stop hypertension
The goal of an anti-inflammatory diet is to eliminate pro-inflammatory foods and replace them with nutritionally adequate foods and herbs and spices that are high in anti-inflammation compounds, such as vitamin C.
vitamin C
For instance, avoiding refined flour, excess salt from precooked foods, and sugary beverages and increasing one’s daily intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains are among common recommendations.
Anti-inflammatory diets also support gut health. As many as 70–80% of immune cells are present in the gut, so optimizing gut health is integral to promoting immune health and eliminating chronic inflammation.
70–80%
It is advisable to consume foods rich in prebiotics and probiotics, such as legumes and yogurt, every day.
Tips for getting started on an anti-inflammatory diet include the following:
Replace sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas and concentrated juices, with plain or fruit-infused water.
Increase your fiber intake by eating more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables daily.
fiber
Eat fatty fish, including sardines and salmon, twice per week.
Include into your diet more nuts, seeds, nut butter, avocado, and olive oil for healthy fats.
Incorporate more herbs and spices.
Sip on herbal teas, such as ginger, garlic, cinnamon, or rosemary tea.
Potential health benefits
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic conditions, such as heart disease and stroke, are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
stroke
Research demonstrates that anti-inflammatory diets reduce markers of inflammation in the body and the risk of chronic conditions.
Research
A 2016 review found that the Mediterranean diet reduced C-reactive protein — a test that indicates inflammation in the body — by 20%, and overall heart disease risk by 30%.
2016 review
Researchers suggest that the diet reduces heart disease risk by lowering inflammation in blood vessel walls and maintaining their health and resilience.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet also has the potential to reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, although more studies are necessary to explore this benefit.
developing
rheumatoid arthritis
Symptoms of chronic conditions, such as muscle pain, swollen joints, itchy skin, tiredness, and mood swings, may become debilitating or disruptive, affecting a person’s quality of life and comfort.
muscle pain
itchy skin
tiredness
mood swings
Research into the effects of an anti-inflammatory diet in individuals with psoriasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and depression found improvement of some symptoms and quality of life in some instances.
psoriasis
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
depression
This means that for someone with a chronic condition, an anti-inflammatory diet may support improved symptom management and a better quality of life.
In addition, other research notes that anti-inflammatory diets may reduce fatigue brought on by a chronic condition.
other research
However, instead of focusing on a single nutrient, people should follow a balanced diet rich in fiber, whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and omega-3 fats to manage fatigue.
balanced diet
Downsides
Anti-inflammatory diets are an emerging science with conflicting findings.
According to some research, tomato is a pro-inflammatory food that people should avoid and replace with other vegetables, such as pumpkin. Still other findings suggest that its lycopene content has anti-inflammatory properties.
research
findings
These inconsistencies between published data may leave you feeling confused about which foods are right for you. Be mindful of your allergies and consult with a registered dietitian to develop an appropriate meal plan.
allergies
dietitian
Several health-related websites offer the “best” anti-inflammatory diets to “cure” conditions such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis.
fibromyalgia
multiple sclerosis
arthritis
While anti-inflammatory diets are effective at reducing inflammation and improving symptoms, saying that they are a cure for autoimmune and chronic conditions is an overstatement.
A person should adopt an anti-inflammatory diet to support appropriate medical treatment, not to replace it.
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Lifestyle habits
Lifestyle habits also play a role in the development of inflammation.
Research associates poor sleep, lack of physical activity, and psychological stress with increased inflammation, weakened immunity, and an increased risk of heart disease.
poor sleep
lack of physical activity
psychological stress
In addition to fueling your diet with anti-inflammatory foods, support lower levels of inflammation by:
aiming for 7–9 hours of uninterrupted sleep
sleep
exercising for 150 minutes per week, including cardio, resistance, and balance training
150 minutes
trying to manage stress
manage
The bottom line
Anti-inflammatory diets are rich in health-promoting antioxidants, polyphenols, and other immune-boosting compounds that lower inflammation in the body.
Replace pro-inflammatory foods — such as highly refined carbohydrates and added sugars, red meat, trans and saturated fats, and salt — with whole grains, fruit, vegetables, yogurt, herbs and spices, and healthy fats.
Although anti-inflammatory diets effectively reduce inflammation and improve disease symptoms, they are not a cure for autoimmune and chronic conditions and should be an addition to appropriate medical treatment, not a replacement.