From road rage to political conflicts, Americans are inflamed with anger these days. According to Crown Consulting, a mental health service, 7% to 11% of the general population experience significant anger issues, and about 9% of U.S. adults have issues with anger that may lead to violence.
But anger isn't the only damaging inflammation that's affecting people’s lives.
Inflammatory foods — including those packed with refined carbs, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and extra calories — are fueling the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
That's according to a new study in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia that tracked around 1,400 people for at least a decade. It turned out that those who ate the most inflammatory foods more than doubled their risk of developing dementia.
The researchers also identified the most anti-inflammatory nutrients, which include:
• Beta-carotene (in carrots, sweet potatoes, and yellow peppers)
• Caffeine
• Fiber (in 100% whole grains)
• Monounsaturated fat (extra-virgin olive oil)
• Polyunsaturated fat (canola and sunflower oil)
• Omega-3s (salmon)
• Omega-6s (though not in excess)
• Green and black tea
• Pepper and garlic
In addition, you want to get a variety of phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals that are found in fruits and vegetables, fish, and chicken. Those are folic acid, magnesium, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, zinc, selenium, flavones, flavonols and flavonoids, and vitamins B6, A, C, D, and E.
For tips on cooking cool foods (in every sense of the word), check out Dr. Mike's "What to Eat When Cookbook," and look up Dr. and Lisa Oz's "Dr. Oz's Vegetarian Recipes for Family Dinners" at Oprah.com.