In a new study from King’s College London, researchers found prolonged food-induced inflammation can increase the predicted risk of developing heart and metabolic diseases.
They found that inflammation, triggered by food, varies widely between individuals.
The researchers were able to identify for the first time the relative influence of blood sugar and blood fat levels on inflammation, demonstrating a stronger link with blood fat responses than blood sugar.
In the study, the team examined 1,002 healthy adults.
They were all given two standardized meals to eat, each containing precise amounts of fat, carbohydrate, fiber and protein: breakfast (a muffin and a milkshake) and lunch four hours later (a muffin).
The researchers took blood samples from the participants before the breakfast meal and at nine points throughout the day.
These were then analyzed to measure the levels of blood fat and sugar at the different time points, along with levels of two markers of inflammation, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Glycoprotein acetylation (GlycA).
The researchers found that the levels of inflammation after eating varied widely between participants, including identical twins, even though everyone had the same meals at the same intervals.
People with more body fat and greater body mass index (BMI) were more likely to have higher levels of inflammation after eating, supporting current evidence that management of obesity will reduce chronic inflammatory burden.
Levels of inflammation also tended to be higher in males than females, and in older participants than younger ones.
The team gives several strategies to reduce the impact of inflammation after eating.
Control unhealthy blood fat responses by choosing whole foods that are higher in fiber and lean protein, increasing your intake of healthy omega-3 fats from sources like fish, nuts and seeds, and reducing your overall body fat
Control unhealthy blood sugar responses by choosing foods containing complex carbohydrates and fiber, such as whole grains, fruit and vegetables, and limiting sugary processed foods and sodas
Reduce inflammation after eating by choosing foods that are high in ‘anti-inflammatory’ bioactive molecules such as polyphenols, found in colorful fruits and vegetables and other plant-based foods
Understand your biology and choose foods that are less likely to cause unhealthy blood fat or sugar responses after eating
If you care about food and your health, please read studies about this diet may help prevent high blood pressure and findings of Mediterranean diet may help people with diabetes delay meds.
For more information about diet and wellness, please see recent studies about adding these foods to your diet may help prevent cancer and results showing that this diet may help people recover from heart disease.
The study is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. One author of the study is Dr. Sarah Berry.
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