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Eating apples improves lung function
01/26/2000
By Bruce Yates
A positive cross-sectional association between lung function and the number of apples eaten a week has been found in a large cohort study among men living in Wales.
Eating five or more apples a week, compared with eating none, is associated with slightly better lung function.
Association of lung function and diet was investigated among a prospective cohort study of 2,512 Welshmen aged between 45 and 59. Researchers measured FEV1 in one second at baseline and at five year follow-up. Good lung function was indicated by a high maximum FEV1 in relation to the age and height of the men.
This lung function was associated with a high intake of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, citrus fruit, apples and frequent consumption of fruit juice and drinks containing fruit juice. There was an inverse association with magnesium intake but not with intake of fatty fish.
Researchers then adjusted for confounders. These included the body mass index of the men, their history of smoking, their exercise habits, their socio-economic status and their total energy intake.
This adjustment showed only the association with vitamin E and apples persisted with an effect on lung function.
Researchers found no evidence to suggest that age-related natural decline in lung function could be slowed down by a short-term increase in the number of apples eaten.
Apples are high in the antioxidant flavoid quercetin. This antioxidant is also found in onions, tea and red wine and it may be important in protecting the lungs from the harmful effects of atmospheric pollution and cigarette smoke.
Thorax 2000:55:102-8.
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