Journal
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY
Volume 52, Issue 1, Pages 104-114Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/cea.14020
Keywords
antioxidants; asthma; diet; fruits; lung function
Categories
Funding
- Swedish Research Council
- Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, Formas
- Asthma and Allergy Association
- Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation
- European Research Council (TRIBAL) [757919]
- Swedish Asthma and Allergy research foundation
- Region Stockholm (ALF project)
- European Research Council (ERC) [757919] Funding Source: European Research Council (ERC)
Ask authors/readers for more resources
A Swedish study found that higher fruit intake at age 8 was associated with reduced asthma risk and improved lung function, while vegetable intake showed no significant association. Additionally, higher antioxidant intake at age 8 was linked to reduced asthma risk and improved lung function, especially in males and participants sensitized to aeroallergens.
Background Dietary antioxidants may protect the lung against oxidative damage and prevent chronic respiratory disease. We aimed to investigate fruit, vegetable and antioxidant intake (measured as total antioxidant capacity, TAC) at age 8 years in relation to asthma and lung function up to 24 years. Methods In this study of 2506 participants from a Swedish birth cohort, diet was assessed using food frequency questionnaires. Information on asthma was collected by questionnaires, and lung function was measured by spirometry at ages 8, 16 and 24 years. Generalized estimating equations and mixed effect models were used to assess overall, age- and sex-specific associations. Results After adjustment for confounders, a higher fruit intake at age 8 years was associated with a tendency to reduced odds of prevalent asthma (T3 vs. T1, OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.60-1.01, p-trend .083), with reduced odds of incident asthma and increased odds of remittent asthma (>= median, OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.58-0.99 and OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.05-2.42, respectively) up to 24 years. Comparable, but non-significant, odds ratios were observed in analyses of long-term fruit intake (mean intake at ages 8 and 16 years). In contrast, no association was observed with vegetable intake. A higher dietary TAC (T3 vs. T1) at 8 years was associated with reduced odds of prevalent asthma (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.58-0.93, p-trend .010) and improved lung function development (FEV1-z +0.11; 95% CI 0.01-0.21, p-trend .036 and FVC-z +0.09; 95% CI -0.01-0.20, p-trend .072) up to 24 years. Associations were more pronounced among males, and regarding asthma, participants sensitized to aeroallergens. Conclusions Antioxidant intake in school age may improve asthma and lung function up to young adulthood. Although our results should be interpreted with caution, they emphasize the importance of following current dietary guidelines regarding consumption of antioxidant-rich foods as part of a balanced diet.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available