National Institute of Nutrition study finds strong link between diet quality and Rheumatoid Arthritis
A study by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad found that adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) often have lower dietary diversity and higher inflammatory food intake. The research suggests a strong correlation between poor diet quality and the prevalence of this autoimmune disorder.
Why it matters
This study highlights the potential for dietary interventions to manage or reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases in the Indian population.
Adults suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) tend to have less diverse diets, lower micronutrient adequacy and food habits that may promote inflammation compared to healthy individuals, said researchers at the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) here in Hyderabad.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, particularly the joints, leading to pain, swelling and reduced mobility. While genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute to the disease, the role of dietary patterns in the Indian population has not been extensively studied.
In this case-control study involving 615 adults aged 18 to 55 years from Hyderabad, including 301 newly diagnosed RA patients and 314 healthy individuals, researchers assessed participants’ food habits using a validated 131-item food frequency questionnaire.
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