Chronic inflammation has become one of the banes of modern life, setting the stage for a host of health complications and faster ageing. Among all the conditions linked to it, arthritis is one of the most common.
Fortunately, there is evidence that eating certain foods could calm, if not prevent, the problem altogether.
Emerging research involving more than 200,000 participants has revealed the EAT-Lancet diet could reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis by up to 20 per cent.
The study tracked respondents for 13 years and identified specific pathways that explain the foods’ protective effect.
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Adherence to the diet could slash the risk of rheumatoid arthritis by 20%
Scientists have discovered that adherence to the diet, which prioritises plant-based foods alongside fish, demonstrated a significantly lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
The dietary pattern is also abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. Meanwhile, it is low in red, processed meats and dairy, and focuses on healthy unsaturated fat, while limiting added sugars and refined grains.
This focus on plant-based foods supports an anti-inflammatory lifestyle by helping regulate the body’s inflammatory response.
The EAT-Lancet diet was originally developed for both human health and environmental sustainability.
The analysis examined 205,439 participants with an average age of 56 years, documenting 1,897 rheumatoid arthritis cases during the follow-up period.
“The findings hold crucial implications for public health strategies aimed at preventing RA through dietary modifications and metabolic health interventions,” noted the research team, led by Jin Feng, PhD.
They identified several metabolites that influence rheumatoid arthritis risk through distinct mechanisms.
“Metabolites such as glycoprotein acetyls, acetoacetate, glucose and phenylalanine were positively associated with an increased risk of RA,” the scientists added.
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The diet prioritises plant-based foods alongside fish
“In contrast, metabolites including the degree of unsaturation, omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and albumin were negatively associated with RA risk.”
What’s more, scientists leading the research identified nine specific genes that interact with the EAT-Lancet diet to influence rheumatoid arthritis prevention.
“These may influence the disease through immune cell proliferation and the modulation of inflammatory responses,” according to the research team.
The discovery suggests that the protective effects of the EAT-Lancet may vary based on a person’s genetic makeup, suggesting personalised dietary recommendations may hold promise in rheumatoid arthritis prevention strategies.