Diets High in Antioxidants Likely Helpful for Lung Disease

-Diets that are rich in raw fresh fruits, fruit juices, and vegetables may improve lung function and reduce exacerbations in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This is according to a study published in the latest issue of the journal European Respiratory Journal.

Study authors enrolled 120 patients with lung disease, emphysema or chronic bronchitis in a three year study. All patients completed dietary questionnaires at six month intervals.

Sixty patients were randomized to the intervention arm, in which they were instructed to increase their fresh fruit and vegetable consumption by at least one portion per day. The control group had no diet guidance.

The groups were similar at baseline in demographic factors, smoking or smoking cessation, dietary habits, and spirometry results. They were also similar in terms of their physical activity, alcohol consumption and weight during the study.

At baseline, the groups were similar in their consumption of vegetables and fruits. Throughout the study, diets in the control group remained unchanged, but antioxidant consumption rose significantly in the intervention group.

Study authors report that in the year before the study, the average number of COPD exacerbations were similar in the intervention group and control group. During the study, the average number of COPD exacerbations were significantly lower in the intervention group.

The high-antioxidant diet was also associated with an improvement in lung function.

Although this was a small study, it is likely that diets that are high in antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables is helpful in patients with lung disease

Cristopher Geiler, MD

Reference
Eur Respir J. 2010

Posted on February 19, 2010

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