Inflammatory potential of the diet and self-rated quality of life in Italian adults

Abstract Introduction Diet quality is well recognized as a major determinant of health. The mechanisms beyond recommendations emphasizing plant-based dietary patterns seem to rely on the potential effects of unhealthy diets on immune system and promotion of chronic subclinical inflammatory processes. Quality of life (QoL) represents a comprehensive measure assessing one's physical and mental health. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between a dietary inflammatory score (DIS) and QoL in a sample of Italian adults. Methods Dietary habits of 1936 individuals were assessed through administration of a 110-item food frequency questionnaire while the inflammatory potential of the diet was estimated by applying a validated score including 18 components, such as leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, legumes, refined grains, and starchy vegetables, apples and berries, deep yellow or orange vegetables and fruit, tomatoes, other fruits, and real fruit juices, other vegetables, added sugars, red and organ meats, processed meats, fish, poultry, high-fat dairy, low-fat dairy and tea, nuts, and other fats. The Manchester Short Appraisal (MANSA) was used to assess self-rated QoL. An overall satisfaction with overall QoL was arbitrarily defined as being in the highest quartile of the MANSA score (>70 points). Results A higher DIS (indicating a more inflammatory potential of the diet) was inversely associated with lower odds of having a high QoL [odds ratio (OR) = 0.67, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.52, 0.87]. Some individual components of the MANSA, including overall life satisfaction, social life, personal security, cohabitant satisfaction, physical health, and mental health were also associated with DIS scores. Conclusions The inflammatory potential of the diet may provide the rationale for the observed associations between dietary habits and overall health. Key messages • Quality of life in adults may be affected by dietary factors. • Several dietary factors are related with immune system regulation.