Overview

• Patients with stage III colon cancer following anti-inflammatory dietary patterns showed improved overall survival compared to those on proinflammatory diets.
• Those in the highest proinflammatory diet quintile faced an 87% higher risk of death than patients in the lowest quintile.
• Regular exercise alongside a low-inflammatory diet drove a 63% reduction in mortality risk, underscoring the diet–activity synergy.
• Anti-inflammatory foods identified include coffee, tea, leafy greens, cooked tomatoes in pizza and moderate wine, while red and processed meats, refined grains and sugary drinks fuel inflammation.
• Use of the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib did not change the diet–survival relationship, and researchers plan to study metastatic and younger patient groups next.