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Breathe Easier With Apples, British Researchers Report
New Study Adds to Growing Link Between Apples, Lung Health
New research suggests that eating that proverbial "apple a day" can reduce the risk of developing asthma. Researchers from London's King's College and the University of Southampton have reported that people who ate at least 2 apples per week had a 22-32% lower risk of developing asthma than people who ate fewer apples.
Their conclusions are based on population based case control study of 1,471 adults in the United Kingdom that sought to examine how dietary antioxidants might affect asthma risk and severity.
"We found that asthma was less common in adults who consumed more apples," said lead researcher Seif O. Shaheen, MD. Exactly how apples might reduce asthma risk is not yet known. Researchers concluded that more research is needed to better understand how apples or apple nutrients might influence lung health. They believe that flavonoids found in apples might reduce asthma inflammation through an antioxidant, antiallergic or anti-inflammatory response.
Their findings were reported in the November issue of the American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine.
"This research adds to the growing body of science demonstrating that eating apples may improve health, including lung and heart health," said Dr. Dianne Hyson, a registered dietitian and nutrition researcher with the University of California-Davis Medical Center.
"Other recent studies have also suggested that we might breathe easier - literally - by eating apples or drinking apple juice," says Julia Daly, nutrition communications specialist with the United States Apple Association.
Article provided on a not-for-profit basis for information purposes only. All copyrights held by respective sources and authors. Core Report, January 2002.