HIGHER CONSUMPTION OF DIETARY ANTIOXIDANTS PROTECTS AGAINST ASTHMA

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A British study finds that consumption of apples and intake of selenium are

inversely associated with asthma in adults. In addition, a higher

consumption of red wine might reduce the severity of asthma in some people.

In a population-based, case-control study, Dr. Seif O. Shaheen, of King's

College, London, and colleagues examined whether asthma is less common and

less severe in adults who consume more dietary antioxidants. Participants

were between the ages of 16 and 50 years and included 607 asthmatics and 864

controls.

The investigators found a negative association between apple consumption and

asthma after controlling for total energy intake and potential confounding

factors (odds ratio [OR] per increase in frequency group 0.89; p = 0.006).

They also found a negative association between selenium intake and asthma

(OR per quintile increase 0.84; p = 0.002), according to the report in the

November 15th issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care

Medicine.

Intake of red wine was negatively associated with the severity of asthma.

The team notes that " the associations between apple and red wine consumption

and asthma may indicate a protective effect of flavonoids. "

" The association with apples suggests that we need a better understanding of

how flavonoids, or other constituents of apples, influence respiratory

health, " Dr. Shaheen and colleagues note.