Diet-Related Inflammation

We all know that healthy eating has its benefits.  One such benefit is preventing inflammation.  Did you know that some eating patterns can increase or decrease inflammation in your body?  That said, let's look at one kind of diet-related inflammation - colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the US.  Also, studies have shown that there are dietary factors associated with a higher risk of this cancer.  Foods like processed meats unfortunately are linked to increasing your risk. One study in JAMA Oncology showed that people who followed dietary patterns that were most likely to cause inflammation had a 32% higher chance of developing colorectal cancer compared with people who followed a dietary pattern that was least likely to cause inflammation.  That's something to think about! However, since this was an observational study it does not necessarily prove that the anti-inflammatory nature of these foods offers protection as there may be other properties from this diet that could be at work.

So, what are proinflammatory foods?  These would include foods such as red and processed meats, organ meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages.  On the flip side, diets that were high in dark green and leafy vegetables, dark yellow vegetables, tea, and coffee were found to be anti-inflammatory.

What does this all mean for you?  Right now, research has shown that being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight helps with reducing your risk of getting colorectal cancer. Additionally, eating a healthy diet containing green leafy vegetables and low in red and processed meat, refined grains, and sugar-sweetened beverages is also beneficial.

Reference:  Health & Nutrition Letter, Tufts University, Diet-Related Inflammation and Colorectal Cancer (p.3).