New Research Highlights Benefits of Fruit for Lung Health

Recent studies indicate that consuming fruits may offer protective benefits for lung health. Researchers from the University of Leicester in the UK have discovered that a higher intake of fruits can potentially lessen the adverse effects of air pollution on lung function.

This research was shared at the European Respiratory Society Conference held in Amsterdam this month. According to researcher Pimpika Kaewsri, over 90% of people globally are exposed to air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organization guidelines.

“All studies indicate that high levels of air pollution correlate with decreased lung function,” Kaewsri noted.

Moreover, prior research has established a connection between healthy eating patterns, particularly rich in fruits and vegetables, and improved lung performance. The goal of this study was to assess whether dietary choices could mitigate the designated negative side effects of air pollution on lung health, as Kauzli mentioned.

The research involved analyzing data from approximately 200,000 participants in the UK Biobank, comparing dietary habits—including fruit, vegetable, and whole grain consumption—with lung function metrics. It also took into account exposure to particulate matter from various sources, such as vehicle emissions and industrial activity, along with factors like age, height, and socioeconomic status.

The findings revealed that individuals with low fruit consumption experienced a significant decline in lung function—about 78.1 milliliters—as their exposure to air pollution increased. In contrast, women within the high fruit intake category only saw a reduction of 57.5 milliliters.

Interestingly, the study found that women generally consumed more fruit, which was associated with better lung function. However, it’s worth noting that women eating more than four servings of fruit daily exhibited reduced lung function compared to those with lower consumption levels.

It seems that men generally had a lower fruit intake, which might explain why the observed protective effects were more prominent in women. Kaewsri suggested these benefits could be linked to the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds naturally found in fruits.

“These compounds potentially help alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation caused by particulate matter, possibly offsetting some harmful impacts of air pollution on lung function,” Kaewsri elaborated.

Moving forward, researchers aim to delve deeper into how diet influences lung function changes over time. Professor Sarah de Matteis, chair of the Work Environment Health Experts Group at the European Respiratory Association in Turin, highlighted the study’s identification of potential respiratory health benefits associated with healthful diets rich in fresh fruits.

Yet, she cautioned that access to healthy food is not uniform across populations. Even when accounting for socioeconomic status, some confounding factors may still persist, she added.