Health News Update: Quality Really Matters
Hello again everyone:
Here is a very interesting study that reveals that not only do plant-based diets lower inflammation, it also shows that poorly chosen plant-based food patterns raise inflammation. As you know, inflammation causes, aggravates, and/or perpetuates every known chronic health condition…you cannot name one health condition in which inflammation is not a key player. Food consumption patterns are the leading cause of inflammation as well as being recognized as the leading cause of death and disability in our country.
Currently, there is enormous interest in plant-based dietary models that reveal significant health benefits. As the science progresses, they are now teasing out the differences between healthy and not-so-healthy food choices. And guess what? The healthier plant-based food choices lowered inflammation while the unhealthy choices did not.
Conclusion: Higher scores of HEI-2015 (Healthy Eating Index) and increased intake of a healthy plant-based diet were associated with lower inflammation, while an unhealthy plant-based diet was associated with higher inflammation. A greater adherence to the 2015 dietary guidelines may reduce the risk of mortality associated with inflammation and may also benefit individuals with obesity who had low and moderate inflammation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10468921/pdf/394_2023_Article_3191.pdf
Bottom Line:
So, what is a healthy plant-based food plan? It was a Mediterranean style diet. This is simply the healthiest way to go as it lowers inflammation and protects and lowers your risk of all-cause mortality. Enjoy!!
A Mediterranean-style diet typically includes:
- plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds.
- olive oil as a primary fat source; and
- dairy products, eggs, fish and poultry in low to moderate amounts.
Fish and poultry are more common than red meat in this diet. It also centers on minimally processed, plant-based foods. Wine may be consumed in low to moderate amounts, usually with meals. Fruit is a common dessert instead of sweets.
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/mediterranean-diet
PS: I strongly disagree with the wine statement. Read more here:
