A recent study indicates that a high intake of fruit may mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on lung function, particularly among women.
A new study from the University of Leicester suggests that consuming a diet rich in fruit can help protect lung health against the detrimental effects of air pollution. The findings were presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress held in Amsterdam this month.
Researcher Pimpika Kaewsri highlighted that over 90% of the global population is exposed to air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. “Ample research shows that exposure to higher air pollution levels is associated with reduced lung function,” Kaewsri stated during the presentation.
The study aimed to investigate whether a healthy diet, particularly one high in fruits and vegetables, could mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution on lung function. “We wanted to explore whether a healthy diet or specific food groups could modify or partly mitigate the known adverse effects of air pollution on lung function,” Kaewsri explained.
Researchers analyzed data from the U.K. Biobank, which included approximately 200,000 participants. They compared dietary patterns—including fruit, vegetable, and whole grain intake—with lung function measurements. The study also took into account exposure to fine particulate matter from sources such as vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, as well as factors like age, height, and socioeconomic status.
Results showed that participants with low fruit intake experienced a significant reduction in lung function as air pollution exposure increased, with a decrease of 78.1 milliliters. In contrast, women who consumed four or more portions of fruit daily had a smaller reduction in lung function, only decreasing by 57.5 milliliters.
While a healthy diet was associated with improved lung function for both men and women, the protective effect of high fruit intake was particularly pronounced in women. This discrepancy may be attributed to the generally lower fruit consumption among men, according to the study.
The researchers believe that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds found in fruits may play a crucial role in this protective effect. “These compounds could help mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation caused by fine particles, potentially offsetting some of the harmful effects of air pollution on lung function,” Kaewsri noted.
The study’s authors plan to further investigate how dietary choices can influence lung function changes over time. Professor Sara De Matteis, chair of the European Respiratory Society’s expert group on occupational and environmental health at the University of Turin, Italy, commented on the study’s implications. “This study confirms the potential respiratory health benefits of a healthy diet, especially rich in fresh fruit intake,” she stated.
However, De Matteis also cautioned that access to a healthy diet is not uniformly available across different populations. “Even if the authors adjusted for socioeconomic status, some residual confounding cannot be ruled out,” she added. Professor De Matteis was not involved in the study.
As the research continues, it underscores the importance of dietary choices in promoting lung health, particularly in environments affected by air pollution.
Source: Original article