However, as the health body explains, sometimes inflammation persists, even when you are not threatened by a foreign invader.
That's when inflammation poses grave health risks.
"Many major diseases that plague usincluding cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer'shave been linked to chronic inflammation," explains Harvard Health.
Choosing anti-inflammatory foods can help to counter the harmful effects of inflammation, thereby reducing your risk of life-threatening illness.
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What's more, it also improves mood and overall quality of life, says Dr Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Research published in the Journal of Internal Medicine has shown that the diet can lower risk of death at an early age.
The research led by Joanna Kaluza, DSc, an associate professor at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland, looked at 68,273 Swedish men and women between the ages of 45 and 83.
The study followed people for 16 years, and those who stuck with a mostly anti-inflammatory diet had an 18 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality, 13 percent lower risk of dying from cancer, and 20 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease.
The findings were based on an analysis of self-reported physical activity among 1.44 million study participants.
Exercise also provides numerous benefits for the heart.
"Regular exercise will make your heart and blood circulatory system more efficient, lower your cholesterol level, and also keep your blood pressure at a healthy level," explains the NHS.
According to the health site, you should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week.
Read more from the original source:
How to live longer: The diet shown to reduce risk of early death by 18 percent - key foods - Express
