Fruit Intake May Lessen Pollution‑Related Lung Damage
Researchers from the University of Leicester presented an analysis at the European Respiratory Society Congress showing that higher fruit consumption was associated with smaller declines in lung function linked to fine‑particle air pollution. Using data from about 200,000 U.K. Biobank participants, the team found women who ate four or more portions of fruit daily experienced a smaller pollution‑related lung‑function reduction versus low‑fruit consumers, suggesting antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory compounds in fruit may partially offset pollution harms.
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🔍 Key Facts
- Study cohort: about 200,000 participants from the U.K. Biobank were analyzed for diet, pollution exposure and lung function.
- Measured effect: pollution exposure correlated with a 78.1 mL lung‑function reduction in the low‑fruit group versus a 57.5 mL reduction among women in the high‑fruit group.
- Presentation: findings were presented this month at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Amsterdam; lead researcher named as Pimpika Kaewsri and an independent expert comment from Prof. Sara De Matteis was included.