The Delicious Diet That Tames Inflammation
Women's Health Australia|February 2020
You know you want to avoid it like you do Kyle Sandilands’ Burning Man photos, because inflammation has been linked with depression, weight gain, skin issues, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. Now, a new book declares the anti-inflammatory diet a game changer. WH investigates
Helen Foster
The Delicious Diet That Tames Inflammation

Overpromising and underdelivering. True of politicians and eating plans that pledge to overhaul your life, body or general future happiness. How often, back in the day, did you embark on a diet that guaranteed a quick fix, only to be left just two weeks later with nothing to show for it but kitchen cupboards full of bizarre ingredients never to be used again? In these happier times of balanced eating and tuning in to your hunger, there is, however, a new kid on the block. A diet plan that promises to overhaul your health and happiness, based on solid science with no downsides. The woman behind it is Swedish science journalist Maria Borelius, whose book Health Revolution claims that anti-inflammatory eating can deliver on the promise. In it, she says that following an anti-inflammatory diet – albeit by accident – transformed her physical and mental health, changing her body composition, yes, but also banishing her backache and depression. Heard the claims before? Probably. However, while the foods in this diet are anything but revolutionary, what anti-inflammatory eating can actually teach you could be.

INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE

First, a little science. Inflammation is more than something that happens to your toe when you stub it. Normally, it’s a positive thing; the process by which your immune system fights infection and repairs damage. It switches on when it’s needed, and off when it’s done. But inflammation has a murkier side, one that scientists refer to as low-grade or chronic inflammation – the kind that doesn’t switch off. “The effects of low-grade inflammation are being linked to practically all major diseases in the Western world,” says Borelius. “So you have increased inflammatory markers connected to certain cancers, heart disease, lung disease, skin disease, joint disease and mental health.”

This story is from the February 2020 edition of Women's Health Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 2020 edition of Women's Health Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMEN'S HEALTH AUSTRALIAView All
Women's Health Australia

Clean Up Your Digital Act

The realistic way to make over your relationship with tech

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2020
Women's Health Australia

9 Biggest Lies In Wellness

Whether activating your glutes or your almonds, the struggle to decipher #fitspo fact from fiction is real. Between social media influencers, Reddit zealots and that pushy guy at the supplement store, some seriously ridiculous – and potentially dangerous – ideas have moved from fringe theory to health gospel. It doesn’t help that the booming wellness industry, worth an estimated $4.5 trillion, is difficult to regulate. So to help you navigate these heavily filtered waters, here are the new health virtues that shouldn’t be – and a few simple tactics you can use to actually improve your life.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2020
Women's Health Australia

Kate The Fighter

Actress Kate Beckinsale is stronger than ever thanks to a no B.S diet, near-daily workouts and a refreshingly optimistic outlook. (oh, and she’ll date whoever she wants, thank you very much)

time-read
6 mins  |
June 2020
Women's Health Australia

Welcome to the land of Oat Milk & Manuka Honey

Nestled in the rural outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, lies the town of Serenbe: a revolutionary wellness utopia designed to keep its residents fit, thriving and happy – for life. Could it hold the cure for the maladies of urban living? Or should its promises be taken with a healthy pinch of Himalayan salt? Before the world went into lockdown, one zen-seeking writer made the journey to find out

time-read
9 mins  |
June 2020
Women's Health Australia

Ride Big

Laura Enever walked away from her pro surfing career to conquer the big waves as a freesurfer. Here, she reveals why she followed her heart

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2020
Women's Health Australia

OUR KINDA GIRL... Elle Ferguson

Take a scroll through Elle Ferguson’s Instagram and you’d be forgiven for thinking the mogul had it easy: an impressive following, a successful tanning product range, and better locks than a haircare commercial. What you won’t find on there are the sleepless nights, countless rejections and the time she spent relabelling bottles on her living room floor. Here, the 32-year-old talks backing yourself and the secret behind her beauty brand, Elle Effect.

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2020
Women's Health Australia

If it's not a Hell Yeah, it's a NO!

Sure thing! No probs! Of course! Happy to help! The word ‘yes’ easily rolls off the tongue in a million agreeable ways. But what if we told you that, contrary to everything the world has taught you so far, saying yes isn’t actually the key to winning at life? In fact, it might just be holding you back.

time-read
8 mins  |
June 2020
Women's Health Australia

How to Live to...120

Jennifer Aniston, J.Lo and Jane Fonda have nailed the art of defying time, but us mere mortals don’t have their kind of dough (or specialists). Instead, take a lesson in longevity from the “blue zones”, hot spots that are home to the planet’s longest-living populations.

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2020
The AI Revolution Is Coming: Here's How To Future -Proof Your Career
Women's Health Australia

The AI Revolution Is Coming: Here's How To Future -Proof Your Career

Robots are coming for your job. Not only yours, but another 20 million jobs around the world over the next 10 years. That’s how media outlets reported on the results of a 2019 paper released by global forecaster Oxford Economics. If you think that sounds rather dystopian, wait until your anxiety-fuelled googling brings up news headlines claiming it’s actually 800 million jobs – not a meagre 20 mill – that will be eliminated by robots by the time 2030 hits.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2020
Where Have All The Drinkers Gone?
Women's Health Australia

Where Have All The Drinkers Gone?

Teetotalism has become a badge of honour, the alcohol-free market is booming and mindfulness has ousted getting messy. But while millennials are showing up for sober club nights, the next generation has opted out of drinking culture entirely. WH finds out why...

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2020