ASTHMA STUDIES

Research suggests that eating the proverbial apple a day can reduce the risk of developing asthma.

Researchers from London’s Kings College and the University of Southampton have reported that people who ate at least two apples per week had a 22-32 percent lower risk of developing asthma than people who ate fewer apples. Their conclusions were based on population-based case-control study of 1471 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, M.D.

Exactly how apples might reduce the risk of asthma 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 or anti-inflammatory response.

“This research adds to the growing body of science demonstrating that eating apples may improve health, including lung and heart health,” said Dr. Diane Hyson, UC Davis.