The key to better asthma control may be as close as your grocery produce department.
Researchers found that people who eat apples and tomatoes often have better lung capacity than those who shun the fruits, reports this story from the BBC News.
After asking almost 3,000 people with breathing problems about their dietary habits, the researchers discovered that those who ate an apple five times a week or ate tomatoes at least every other day had an easier time breathing.
The researchers suspect the antioxidant quercetin may play a role in the protective effect of apples and tomatoes. This antioxidant is also found in onions, tea and red wine.
"This latest study confirms that regular intake of fresh fruit reduces the risk of developing respiratory disease and represents a simple, effective intervention that everyone can adopt to keep themselves fit," says Dr. Martyn Patridge of the U.K.'s National Asthma Campaign.
Food isn't always good for asthmatics, however. Some asthmatics are so allergic to some types of food that even the smell from the vapors of the food can be enough to trigger an asthma attack, says this MSNBC article.
