Lina Samira Bahr1, Kristina Franz, Anja Mähler. 1. Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, ECRC Experimental and Clinical Research Center Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Research Group on Geriatrics DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: It is accepted that several chronic diseases are associated with inflammation. Dietary habits and the consumption of certain nutrients have been shown to influence inflammation. In this narrative review, we discuss currently developed tools to assess the inflammatory potential of diets and compare them with established tools. RECENT FINDINGS: Four new indices were recently developed. The Inflammatory Score of the Diet is a modified version of the established Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). The novel Empirical DII works without previous dietary intake assessment and the Anti-Inflammatory Diet Index was specifically developed in a northern European population. The Dietary and Lifestyle Inflammation Score addresses additional confounders. The informative value of dietary indices relies on the accuracy and completeness of dietary intake assessment. SUMMARY: Dietary inflammatory indices are important tools to assess, compare and validate the inflammatory potential of diets across populations without the need for biomarker assessments. They allow to investigate associations between an (anti)-inflammatory diet with disease risk and course. Although the DII remains the most used index worldwide, currently developed indices allow more flexibility, have a different focus or simplify assessment. Additional foods, that were recently shown to modulate inflammation, but are not (fully) considered yet, may deserve more attention in the future.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: It is accepted that several chronic diseases are associated with inflammation. Dietary habits and the consumption of certain nutrients have been shown to influence inflammation. In this narrative review, we discuss currently developed tools to assess the inflammatory potential of diets and compare them with established tools. RECENT FINDINGS: Four new indices were recently developed. The Inflammatory Score of the Diet is a modified version of the established Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). The novel Empirical DII works without previous dietary intake assessment and the Anti-Inflammatory Diet Index was specifically developed in a northern European population. The Dietary and Lifestyle Inflammation Score addresses additional confounders. The informative value of dietary indices relies on the accuracy and completeness of dietary intake assessment. SUMMARY: Dietary inflammatory indices are important tools to assess, compare and validate the inflammatory potential of diets across populations without the need for biomarker assessments. They allow to investigate associations between an (anti)-inflammatory diet with disease risk and course. Although the DII remains the most used index worldwide, currently developed indices allow more flexibility, have a different focus or simplify assessment. Additional foods, that were recently shown to modulate inflammation, but are not (fully) considered yet, may deserve more attention in the future.
Authors: Johanna von Gerichten; Annette L West; Nicola A Irvine; Elizabeth A Miles; Philip C Calder; Karen A Lillycrop; Barbara A Fielding; Graham C Burdge Journal: Front Immunol Date: 2021-10-05 Impact factor: 7.561