ISLAMABAD: As air pollution represents a growing threat to health (including lung function) on a global level, new research carried out in the United Kingdom has established a preventative measure for lung health, thanks to fruits, an easy to access food, eaten on a daily basis.
Research from Leicester University examined data from over 200,000 individuals collected from the UK Biobank. The researchers examined dietary intake of individuals, measured lung function, and quantified exposure to air pollution. They found that individuals with a higher intake of fruit demonstrated significantly less loss of lung function associated with exposure to fine particulate air pollution.
The research report pointed out that 90 percent of the world’s population are exposed to air pollution and that air pollution is also reported to negatively impact lung function. Moreover, it also provided evidence that women who consumed more fruit and had better lung function, and a decreased risk of lung injury.
The researchers believed that the protective effects of fruits are due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents that may help mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation due to exposure to fine particulate air pollution. The researchers found that men eat less fruit than women, explaining the better lung protection found in women’s lungs in this study.
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Researchers pointed out that they will continue to collect follow-up data for further information regarding diet and lung health long-term.
