Extensiveness of inflammation-inducing foods in American diet

A recent study found that nearly 60% of Americans follow pro-inflammatory diets, increasing their risk of diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Certain groups, including Black Americans, men, and those with lower incomes, are more likely to consume these diets.

The research used the dietary inflammatory index (DII) to analyze the diets of over 34,500 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. It revealed that 57% had pro-inflammatory diets, 34% had anti-inflammatory diets, and 9% had neutral diets.

While previous assessments focused on specific food groups, this study emphasizes inflammation as a key factor. Foods like garlic, ginger, turmeric, leafy greens, legumes, and fatty fish can help reduce inflammation. However, access to healthy foods can be challenging, particularly for low-income populations. Additionally, factors such as stress and poor sleep can worsen chronic inflammation, making diet just one of many tools to manage it.