Mediterranean diet keeps respiratory allergies at bay
A typical Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, vegetables and nuts appears to offer children protection against allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms, according to new research. The study, which was partly funded under the EU's Fifth Framework Programme, is published online by the journal Thorax. The Mediterranean diet consists of high levels of plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, bread, cereals, legumes and nuts. The main source of fat is olive oil. In recent years a number of studies have linked the Mediterranean diet to lower levels of obesity, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and various forms of cancer. In this latest piece of research, the scientists studied almost 700 children, ranging in age from seven to 18, living in rural areas of the Greek island of Crete. The children's parents completed questionnaires on their children's dietary habits and respiratory health. Using this information, the researchers were able to analyse how 'Mediterranean' the children's diets really were. They found that four fifths of the children ate fresh fruit, and two thirds ate fresh vegetables, at least twice a day. Overall, a high level of adherence to a Mediterranean diet showed a protective effect on allergic rhinitis and asthma-like symptoms. Oranges, apples, grapes and tomatoes are all grown on the island and eaten in large quantities, the researchers found. Grapes in particular are high in anti-oxidants. Children who ate nuts at least three times a week were also less likely to wheeze, a fact the researchers attribute to the high level of vitamin E, an antioxidant, found in nuts. In contrast, children who ate margarine regularly were more likely to suffer from asthma and rhinitis symptoms, a finding which backs up similar research carried out in other countries. 'Our findings indicate that a high dietary intake of commonly consumed fruits and vegetables and nuts may have a protective role on the prevalence of asthma-like symptoms and allergic rhinitis,' the researchers conclude. 'A diet high in antioxidants may prevent the expression of allergic disease in this population.'
Countries
Greece
