Mediterranean diet reduce risk of COPD
On May 16, 2007
Categories: Diet and Nutrition, Health Tips, Healthy Lifestyle, Research, Smoking
People who follow a “Mediterranean” diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fish cut their risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by half, researchers report.
COPDis a group of diseases characterized by limitation of airflow in the airway that is not fully reversible. COPD is the umbrella term for chronic bronchitis, emphysema and a range of other disorders.
Although smoking remains the primary cause of COPD, and that the primary preventive measure is to quit smoking, experts found out that a diet rich in fruits, vegetable and fish, may help reduce risk of COPD.
The study found out that men who ate a Mediterranean diet had a 50 percent lower risk of developing COPD compared to those who ate the Western diet, even after taking into account age, smoking and other risk factors, the researchers reported.
People, however, should be reminded that because a good diet reduces your risk of COPD doesn’t mean that it’s worth the risk of smoking. Keep in mind that smoking has health hazards other than acquiring a lung disease.
