Discover the unexpected effects on your lungs when you eat a lot of fruit

Air pollution is a global threat, affecting more than 90% of the population. In particular, PM2.5 fine dust penetrates deep into the body, reducing lung function and health. In this context, finding personal protection measures against this harmful effect becomes more urgent than ever.

At the European Respiratory Society 2025 Conference recently held in the Netherlands, a groundbreaking study pointed out something few people expected: Eating fruit regularly can help protect your lungs from the harmful effects of air pollution, according to the science news site Scitech Daily.

The study, conducted by PhD student Pimpika Kaewsri from the University of Leicester (UK), was based on health data and eating habits of about 200,000 participants in the large UK Biobank database.

As fine dust pollution levels increase, eating more fruit helps protect the lungs from reduced lung capacity.

ILLUSTRATION: AI

The aim was to examine the association between dietary intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains with lung capacity (the amount of air exhaled in one second) and exposure to PM2.5 fine particulate matter.

Unexpected results and unique fruits that will surprise you

The results revealed something surprising: As fine dust pollution levels increased, eating more fruit helped protect the lungs from reduced lung capacity.

Specifically, when fine dust pollution levels increased, people who ate four servings of fruit - equivalent to 320 grams, per day, only had a 57.5 ml decrease in lung capacity compared to a 78.1 ml decrease in people who ate less fruit, according to Scitech Daily.

This difference suggests that eating fruit may provide significant protection for the lungs against the ravages of polluted air.

Researcher Kaewsri explains the reason is simple: This protective effect comes from the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds found in fruits.

When we inhale fine dust, our lungs experience oxidative stress and inflammation. Natural compounds in fruits act as a shield to help alleviate this stress and inflammation, thereby partially offsetting the harmful effects of air pollution on lung function.

The study also confirmed that a generally healthy diet (rich in fruit) was associated with better lung function in both men and women, regardless of pollution levels. While the benefits were more pronounced in women, it’s a strong indication that a healthy diet is a potential protective factor for respiratory health, according to Scitech Daily.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phat-hien-tac-dung-it-ai-ngo-cho-phoi-khi-ban-an-nhieu-trai-cay-185251019092044148.htm