Best weight loss diet: Unlike crash diets, the anti-inflammatory diet doesn’t call for extreme deprivation. It aids digestion, balances blood sugar, and reduces binge eating (Image: Pexels)
Trendy diets come and go, but a few manage to stick around because they aren’t just disguised as artery-cloggers. One such diet is the anti-inflammatory diet, which has become popular for helping to keep chronic inflammation in check, boosting metabolism, and supporting sustainable weight loss. This way of eating focuses on whole, nutrient-dense foods that help the body reduce inflammation, a marker for obesity, insulin resistance, and lifestyle diseases.
Even celebrities like Aamir Khanand Vidya Balan have turned to cleaner, inflammation-fighting foods for better well-being and weight management. There’s no strict calorie cutting here — rather, the emphasis is on balance, nourishment, and hormone health, especially cortisol, the stress hormone. This approach naturally and gradually promotes weight loss by improving gut health and reducing inflammatory stress in the body.
Dr Radhika Narang, Consultant Nutritionist and Metabolic Health Specialist, tells Moneycontrol, “Weight gainis generally a symptom of internal inflammation. If you tackle inflammation with diet, weight loss happens as a byproduct—not as a battle.”
What is an anti-inflammatory diet?
An anti-inflammatory diet highlights which foods may help decrease chronic inflammation and which ones might trigger it. It includes plenty of vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, lean proteins, and antioxidants, while limiting processed foods, refined sugar, and trans fats.
Weight gain and inflammation
“Long-term inflammation causes hormone disruption, such as insulin and cortisol, and inhibits fat loss. When the system is on constant high alert, a state of inflammation persists, resulting in weight gain and fat storage,” says Dr Narang. By lowering inflammation, we can balance our hormones and enhance fat burning.
Key foods in the diet plan
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Dark leafy greens, berries and colourful veggies
Good fats, such as olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocados
Fatty fish rich in omega-3s
Fibre-rich whole grains, legumes and fermented food
Anti-inflammatory spices such as turmeric and ginger
These are gut friendly, and help us curb cravings by making us feel full.
Foods to avoid
Processed foods, sweet treats, refined carbs, fried foods, and excessive alcohol are major inflammation triggers. Reducing these can alleviate symptoms like lack of energy and weight gain.
How to lose weight
Unlike crash diets, the anti-inflammatory diet doesn’t call for extreme deprivation. It aids digestion, balances blood sugar, and reduces binge eating. Over time, the body will naturally move towards a more balanced weight.
How to make it work best
Consistency is key. The diet should be complemented with regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management. “There’s no diet that works in isolation,” says Dr Narang. Matching your lifestyle to anti-inflammatory eating is what makes it truly effective.
FAQs on Health Benefits of Anti-inflammatory diet
1. What is an anti-inflammatory diet?
An anti-inflammatory diet focuses on foods that decrease chronic inflammation, such as vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins, while limiting processed foods, refined sugar, and trans fats.
2. How does inflammation affect weight gain?
Chronic inflammation disrupts hormones like insulin and cortisol, leading to persistent fat storage and weight gain. Reducing inflammation can balance hormones and enhance fat burning.
3. What are key foods in an anti-inflammatory diet?
Include dark leafy greens, berries, colourful vegetables, olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocados, fatty fish, whole grains, legumes, and anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and ginger.
4. Which foods should be avoided to reduce inflammation?
Avoid processed foods, sweet treats, refined carbs, fried foods, and excessive alcohol, as they are major inflammation triggers that can lead to weight gain and low energy.
5. How can the anti-inflammatory diet aid weight loss?
This diet aids digestion, balances blood sugar, and reduces binge eating. Combined with regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management, it can naturally promote sustainable weight loss.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.