Mediterranean diet ‘cuts asthma risk’
13 April 2007

Children who eat a Mediterranean diet, high in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fat, are less likely to develop asthma and allergies, according to new research.

UK, Greek and Spanish researchers assessed the diet and health of almost 700 children living in rural areas of Crete, where asthma is rare.

They looked at the incidence of asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, and of allergic rhinitis, caused by dust mite or pet allergies.

Parents of the children, who were aged between seven and 18, were also asked how often their children ate 58 foods in nine categories; vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish, cereal, dairy products, meat, poultry and margarines and oils.

The research found that 80% of the children ate fresh fruit, and over two-thirds of them ate fresh vegetables, at least twice a day.

Eating oranges, apples, tomatoes and grapes each day, which around 300 children did, was shown to have a protective effect against wheezing and allergic rhinitis.

Children who ate nuts - a rich source of vitamin E - at least three times a week, were less likely to wheeze. However, certain types of nuts – in particular peanuts – are also known to trigger asthma in some people.

Leanne Male, Asthma UK’s Assistant Director of Research commented: ‘The results of this study add to the existing evidence which indicates that a healthy diet can play an important role in the control of asthma symptoms.

‘They also demonstrate that the Mediterranean diet, which traditionally contains higher levels of fresh fruit and vegetables, can have a beneficial effect on asthma symptoms in children. This benefit is thought to be linked to the vitamins and antioxidants which they contain and Asthma UK is currently funding a number of research projects to further explore this association.

‘5.2 million people in the UK currently have asthma, and one in ten children are affected. Therefore Asthma UK encourages all children and adults with asthma to lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, as this may help with the control of their asthma symptoms.’