Groundbreaking research reveals a surprising defense against toxic air: eating more fruit could protect your lungs from pollution damage.
Scientists analyzed data from 200,000 participants in the UK Biobank and discovered that women eating four or more portions of fruit daily showed significantly smaller lung function declines when exposed to air pollution compared to those eating less fruit.
The numbers are striking: For every additional 5 micrograms in fine particulate matter (PM2.5), women with low fruit intake lost 78.1ml of lung capacity, while high fruit eaters lost only 57.5ml—a 26% difference!
The secret lies in fruit’s powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which help combat the oxidative stress caused by polluted air. With over 90% of the global population breathing air that exceeds WHO safety guidelines, this simple dietary strategy could be a game-changer for respiratory health.
An apple a day might just keep the doctor away—and your lungs breathing easier in our polluted world!