How Diet Affects Chronic Disease

The prevalence of chronic disease continues to rise in the United States. Approximately six in ten Americans live with a chronic disease, and four in ten are living with two or more chronic diseases. 

What is a chronic disease? A loose definition is a medical condition that lasts one year or more and requires ongoing medical attention. It often limits one’s daily activities and is not curable. Among the most common chronic diseases in the United States are heart disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity. In 2021, heart disease was the leading cause of death in the U.S. One in five American adults will be diagnosed with diabetes in their lifetime. Nearly 70% of the U.S. population is overweight or obese, which increases the risk of developing further chronic conditions. And cancer cases continue to rise each year. While many factors play a role in your risk of developing and treating chronic diseases, a few are within your control. Most notably, the food you eat. 

You’ve heard it all before—eat more fruits and vegetables, choose whole grains and limit highly processed foods. But what makes these foods important? One reason is that they contain beneficial vitamins, minerals and fiber that help our bodies function correctly. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats contain beneficial nutrients in much larger amounts with fewer calories than highly processed foods. When you consume many highly processed foods and miss out on these essential nutrients, your body can’t function at its best. 

Another reason is the anti-inflammatory effect these foods have. Many chronic conditions prevalent in the U.S. have been linked to chronic inflammation within the body. Different factors can cause chronic inflammation, one being the foods you eat. Foods such as fried foods, soda and sugar-sweetened drinks, processed meats or foods made with ingredients such as lard, margarine and refined carbohydrates have been shown to increase inflammation throughout our bodies, negatively affecting our physical and mental health. 

Not surprisingly, these foods are also the ones we’ve been warned about for years as being unhealthy. Consuming more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats means we consume less saturated fat, less refined sugar, less sodium and fewer calories—all linked to increased risk for common chronic diseases when overconsumed. 

It’s important to note that just because you eat cookies or French fries occasionally doesn’t mean you’ll develop a chronic condition or further complicate a diagnosis you already have. We are human after all. What your daily, consistent nutrition habits look like matters most. Take an honest look at your nutrition habits right now and assess where there’s room to improve. Then, pick one or two small goals to work on first to get yourself on the right track!