For many, weight loss is an ongoing struggle marked by repetitive attempts at various diets and rigorous workout routines that often fail to yield long-term results. In India, where conditions like PCOS make weight loss especially challenging for many women, Bollywood celebrities Vidya Balan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu have turned to a new approach—the anti-inflammatory diet—to achieve results they couldn’t find elsewhere.
In a recent interview with Galatta Plus, actress Vidya Balan shared her long-time struggle with weight, describing the endless loop of losing and regaining weight. This year, she partnered with Amura Health, a Chennai-based nutrition group, that suggested her issue was less about body fat and more about inflammation. With no intense workouts required, Balan claims the anti-inflammatory diet has provided noticeable results, finally breaking her cycle of weight loss and regain. She noted, “All my life, I’ve struggled to be thin… I met [Amura], and they told me it’s just inflammation, not fat. So, they put me on an anti-inflammatory diet, and it worked beautifully.”
Similarly, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu has spoken about following a strict anti-inflammatory diet, citing it as essential for managing her condition, myositis. She opened up about her experience during an Instagram Q&A, where fans had commented on her weight and appearance. Samantha responded by saying, “I’m on a strict anti-inflammatory diet, which is essential for managing my condition. It keeps me within a specific weight range that works best for my health.” Her statements resonated with many who, like her, face the challenge of managing chronic conditions while trying to maintain a healthy weight.
Both celebrities highlight that, for some people, weight issues may be linked less to body fat than to internal inflammation. This shift in perspective has spurred increased interest in the anti-inflammatory diet, especially for those dealing with conditions like PCOS or chronic inflammation.
According to Debjani Gupta, a Mumbai-based nutritionist, inflammation is a natural defense mechanism that the body uses to respond to injury or illness. However, long-term or chronic inflammation can be triggered by a poor diet, high stress, and hormonal imbalances, leading to a range of health problems, including difficulty in losing weight. Gupta explains, “One common cause of internal inflammation, apart from any illness or injury, is a poor diet. Long-term unhealthy eating habits, combined with stress from long working hours and lifestyle compromises, can lead to inflammation.” This inflammation can interfere with insulin function and metabolism, making it harder to lose weight.
So, what does an anti-inflammatory diet entail? Nutrition experts say that the diet focuses on incorporating foods that reduce inflammation while avoiding those that may trigger it. Parmeet Kaur, head dietitian at Marengo Asia Hospitals in Gurugram, describes a typical anti-inflammatory plate: “Eat whole grains, such as brown rice and millet, healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Omega-3-rich foods like flax seeds, chia seeds, or fish are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Additionally, aromatic spices like turmeric and garlic possess strong anti-inflammatory properties and should be included in the diet.”
Experts like Debjani Gupta also recommend including prebiotics and probiotics, which are beneficial for gut health and help reduce inflammation. These can be found in foods like curd, pickles, and other fermented items. Processed and junk foods, as well as sugar, are known triggers for inflammation and should be avoided.
For individuals interested in trying the anti-inflammatory diet, Dr. Archana Batra, a dietitian and certified diabetes educator, advises that it’s crucial to personalize the diet based on individual needs and sensitivities. Some may benefit from eliminating specific items, such as gluten, only if they have an intolerance. Oils high in Omega-6 fatty acids are also considered inflammatory, while those rich in Omega-3s, such as fish oil, are preferable. Dr. Batra adds, “These diets are specialized according to one’s needs. For example, if a person is gluten intolerant, then he/she should eliminate gluten. Otherwise, it’s not important to eliminate any particular food group without an identified need.”
Identifying whether you are inflamed can be key to determining if this diet might work for you. Chronic inflammation symptoms include unexplained weight gain, persistent fatigue, gut issues, and frequent infections. Dr. Batra suggests that tests like High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hs-CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Vitamin-D, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) are helpful for detecting inflammation in the body.
As more people explore this approach to weight loss and health, the anti-inflammatory diet is distinguishing itself from traditional diets like calorie restriction or keto. Unlike those methods, this diet focuses on long-term lifestyle changes, targeting inflammation rather than immediate calorie control. However, experts caution that individuals should consult a healthcare provider or nutritionist before starting the diet to ensure it is done correctly and safely.
In an era where body positivity is gaining traction alongside health consciousness, this shift towards an anti-inflammatory diet highlights the importance of understanding the root causes of weight challenges. For Vidya Balan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and countless others, the anti-inflammatory diet represents a path to improved health and well-being.
