Asthma is a common chronic condition in which the airways become narrow and inflamed—sometimes leading to difficulty with breathing, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
It is a condition that affects more than 25 million Americans, and unfortunately, it can make people more vulnerable in the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the team.
In a recent study from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, researchers found that a plant-based diet can help prevent and manage asthma, while dairy foods and high-fat foods raise the risk.
The findings offer hope that dietary changes could be helpful.
The study is published in Nutrition Reviews. The lead author is Hana Kahleova, MD, Ph.D., the director of clinical research for the Physicians Committee.
In the study, the team examined the evidence related to diet and asthma and found that certain foods—including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other high-fiber foods—can be beneficial, while others—such as dairy products and foods high in saturated fat—can be harmful.
They highlight a study finding that when compared to a control group, asthma patients who consumed a plant-based diet for eight weeks experienced a greater reduction in the use of asthma medication and less severe, less frequent symptoms.
In another study, asthma patients adopted a plant-based diet for a year and saw improvements in vital capacity—a measure of the volume of air patients can expel—and other measures.
The authors suggest that a plant-based diet is beneficial because it has been shown to reduce systemic inflammation, which can exacerbate asthma.
Plant-based diets are also high in fiber, which has been positively associated with improvements in lung function.
The researchers also highlight the antioxidants and flavonoids found in plant foods, which may have a protective effect.
The review also finds that dairy consumption can raise the risk of asthma and worsen symptoms.
High fat intake, consumption of saturated fat, and low fiber intake were also linked to airway inflammation and worsened lung function in asthma patients.
The team says that filling plates with plant-based foods—and avoiding dairy products and other high-fat foods—can be a powerful tool for preventing and managing asthma.
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