A new study suggests that regular fruit consumption may partially protect women's lungs from the harmful effects of air pollution, according to scientists from the University of Leicester in the UK, who presented their research at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Amsterdam.
The study used data from nearly 200,000 participants in the British Biobank. The analysis showed that women who ate four or more servings of fruit a day had less of a decline in lung function when exposed to high levels of air pollution. It is important to note that this effect was not observed in men. According to the authors, this may be due to the high content of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in fruit, which help reduce damage caused by small particles in the air.
To make it clearer, imagine that small particles of dirt in the air are small “hooligans” that get into the lungs and try to damage them, causing inflammation. And fruits rich in antioxidants are like “guards” that neutralize these “hooligans” and calm inflammatory processes. Thus, less damage is done. However, strangely enough, this defense scheme worked effectively only in the female body.
The researchers emphasize that while a healthy diet cannot replace environmental measures, its benefits for women's lungs may be an additional protective factor in polluted urban environments. The researchers also note that further research is needed to further explore this relationship and potential dietary interventions.
In other words, you shouldn't think that after eating an apple, you can safely breathe in exhaust gases. Proper nutrition can be an additional bonus for women, a little help for the body in the fight against a harmful environment.
