(NewsNation) — A new United Kingdom study suggests that diets high in plant protein and fiber can significantly reduce inflammation, particularly in older adults over 60.
While inflammation is a normal part of the body’s healing process, chronic inflammation can increase the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers analyzed data UK Biobank, a large database that contains medical, lifestyle and health information from about 500,000 UK residents. The data was used from more than 128,000 participants, assessing their diets and levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.
Participants were grouped based on the number of chronic conditions they had and their intake of plant protein, animal protein, and fiber. Plant proteins included foods like tofu, tempeh, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds, while animal proteins came from red meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and dairy.
The study showed that higher intake of plant protein and fiber was linked to lower inflammation levels, especially in participants with two or more chronic conditions. In contrast, those who consumed low fiber and high animal protein experienced higher inflammation levels.
Though promising, the study has some limitations. It focused mostly on older white British adults, relied on self-reported diet and health data, and only measured CRP once. Still, the findings support the potential anti-inflammatory benefits of a high-fiber, plant-based diet.