A study from Harvard University has found that eating a diet of anti-inflammatory foods — such as vegetables and whole grains — may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and looked at more than 210,000 people from the US aged 25 to 75. They were followed for up to 32 years, and surveyed about their diet every four years.
The researchers adjusted the results for factors such as anti-inflammatory medication, body mass index, smoking and physical activity. By the end of the study, more than 6,000 people had experienced a stroke, and almost 10,000 had heart disease.
The researchers found that those who ate more pro-inflammatory food had a 28% higher risk of having a stroke, and a 46% higher risk of developing heart disease, compared to those who ate more anti-inflammatory food.
Inflammation is a natural healing process that occurs when there's something wrong with your body, such as an infection or injury. Short periods of inflammation protect the body, but chronic inflammation — inflammation that continues even when the body isn't trying to heal from something — is bad for your health.
As well as heart disease and strokes, chronic inflammation has been linked to illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and depression.
Foods that are more likely to promote inflammation include red meat, processed meat, sweet drinks and refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and white rice. Anti-inflammatory foods include leafy green vegetables, whole grains, fruits, tea, coffee and wine.
As well as an anti-inflammatory diet, a healthy lifestyle — including getting enough sleep and exercise — may also help to control inflammation.
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