Eating Fruit May Help Protect Lungs Against Air Pollution Damage

Eating Fruit May Help Protect Lungs Against Air Pollution Damage
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New research suggests that a high intake of fruit may help lessen the harmful impact of air pollution on the lungs, particularly in women, according to findings presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Amsterdam as reported by SciTechDaily.

The study, which used data from the UK Biobank, found that women who consumed at least four portions of fruit a day showed a smaller decline in lung function when exposed to higher levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) compared to those with lower fruit intake. Specifically, for every additional five micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter of air, women with high fruit intake saw a reduction in lung capacity that was significantly smaller than their low-intake counterparts (57.5 ml vs. 78.1 ml).

Researchers believe this protective effect stems from the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds naturally present in fruit. These compounds may help mitigate the oxidative stress and inflammation caused by fine airborne particles, thereby offsetting some of the damaging effects of pollution on the lungs.

While the study confirmed a link between a healthy diet and better lung function in both men and women regardless of pollution levels, the distinct protective effect against air pollution was primarily observed in women. This difference may be partly explained by the study’s observation that men generally reported lower fruit consumption than women.