93. An inflammatory diet is associated with a higher risk of dementia
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
People who eat more pro-inflammatory foods have a higher risk of later dementia and cognitive decline. In a new study published in the journal Neurology, researchers collected data from over 1,000 adults with an average age of about 73 and followed them for just over three years. They assessed the inflammatory nature of foods eaten by the participants according to the diet inflammatory index. They found that participants who tended to choose fewer processed foods and more nutrient-dense foods had lower incidence of dementia. This study suggests that people following an anti-inflammatory diet, focusing on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fresh meats, seafood and poultry, and monounsaturated and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats – with less sugar and alcohol, and fewer trans fats and fried foods – have a lower risk of cognitive decline as they age.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
