Air pollution continues to be a major global health concern, with over 90% of the world's population exposed to levels exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended limits. Researchers 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.
The study utilized data from the UK Biobank, analysing around 200,000 participants’ dietary habits, particularly their fruit, vegetable, and whole grain intake. This was compared with their lung function, measured through FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second), and their exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Researchers also adjusted for factors like age, height, and socioeconomic status to ensure more accurate results.
Results showed a significant difference in lung function reduction between those with high and low fruit intake. “For every increase in exposure to PM2.5 of five micrograms per cubic metre of air, the team observed a 78.1ml reduction in FEV1 in the low fruit intake group, compared to only a 57.5ml reduction in the high fruit intake group in women,” said Pimpika Kaewsri, a PhD student at the University of Leicester’s Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability and lead author of the study. “Our study confirmed that a healthy diet is linked to better lung function in both men and women regardless of air pollution exposure. And that women who consumed four portions of fruit per day or more appeared to have smaller reductions in lung function associated with air pollution, compared to those who consumed less fruit.”
She suggests that the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in fruit could help combat the oxidative stress caused by pollution. However, Kaewsri noted the effect was more prominent in women, possibly due to higher fruit consumption compared to men.
Reference: https://www.ersnet.org/news-and-features/news/eating-fruit-may-reduce-the-effects-of-air-pollution-on-lung-function/
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