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Tomatoes, apples may slow lung function decline

Regular consumption of tomatoes and fruits, particularly apples, may delay the natural decline in lung function in adults, as well as restore function in former smokers, according to findings published in the European Respiratory Journal.

“Lung function is a predictor of mortality in the general population, as well as in patients with lung disease, even in those who have never smoked,” Vanessa Garcia-Larsen, PhD, from the department of international health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and colleagues wrote. “Maintaining lung function is an important goal in the prevention of chronic respiratory diseases and a major public health objective; yet, smoking cessation remains the main target to reduce the burden of these diseases.”

Garcia-Larsen and colleagues evaluated the association between dietary sources of antioxidants and aging-related lung function decline over a period of 10 years. The researchers studied 680 adults (mean age, 43.8 years) from Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom who underwent spirometry. Participants completed food frequency questionnaires that estimated dietary intake in 2002 and 10 years later. The median total fruit intake was 278 g per day and vegetable intake was 114 grams per day.

Results indicated that a per-tertile increase in the intake of apples and bananas slowed decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second by 3.59 mL per year^-1 (95% CI, 0.4-7.68) and in forced vital capacity by 3.69 mL per year^-1 (95% CI, 0.25-7.14).

Additionally, tomato, herbal tea and vitamin C intake slowed decline in forced vital capacity, but only the intake of tomatoes remained significant after the Simes’ procedure (4.5 mL per year^-1; 95% CI, 1.28-8.02).

The researchers also observed a slower decline in forced vital capacity among former smokers with a diet high in apples, bananas and tomatoes.

The protective effect was only observed in fresh fruits and vegetables, not other foods that contain fruits and vegetables, such as tomato sauce, the researchers noted.

“This study shows that diet might help repair lung damage in people who have stopped smoking,” Garcia-Larsen said in a press release. “It also suggests that a diet rich in fruits can slow down the lung’s natural aging process even if you have never smoked. The findings support the need for dietary recommendations, especially for people at risk of developing respiratory diseases such as COPD.”

“Eating more fruits on a regular basis can help attenuate the decline as people age, and might even help repair damage caused by smoking,” she continued. “Diet could become one way of combating rising diagnosis of COPD around the world.” – by Alaina Tedesco

Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.