Inflammation is often used as an umbrella term to explain a myriad of health woes. It’s said to be the culprit of everything from minor bodily annoyances (like acne) to chronic and life-threatening conditions (like cancer).
But like many of our chosen health-world villains, inflammation is slightly misunderstood. First off, you can’t blame it for everything. Inflammation does not cause inherited genetic conditions, broken bones, or disorders caused by nutritional deficiencies, for example. Second, it’s not always bad. Inflammation is the body’s natural, protective response to illness or injury. In the short term, this helps the body heal.
It’s chronic inflammation that’s the real danger. Chronic inflammation can impact the body in a slew of negative ways, including autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
One of the most science-backed ways to protect the body from chronic inflammation is by following the anti-inflammatory diet. “As its name suggests, the anti-inflammatory diet is meant to help reduce inflammation in the body,” says Parker Lane, RDN, a registered dietitian and owner of Fig Lane Nutrition. Carolyn Williams, RD, PhD, a registered dietitian and author of Meals That Heal, adds that the eating plan centers around foods that contain nutrients that actively protect against cell damage.
Both Lane and Dr. Williams say that anyone can benefit from the anti-inflammatory diet, but if you are already in relatively good health, you likely won’t notice any differences in how you feel day-to-day. But you can rest assured, both say, that you are lowering your risk of experiencing any chronic diseases in the future.
Here’s the thing about any eating plan, including this one: You’re not going to stick with it long-term if you don’t know how to live your normal life while doing it. That’s why we talked to registered dietitians about how to face the biggest dietary hurdles—like going out to eat and socializing at the bar—without falling off the anti-inflammatory wagon.
Read more about how to follow an anti-inflammatory diet without it taking over your life.
