Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also called chronic bronchitis, is a respiratory disease usually caused by smoking. However, a third of people who develop it do not smoke.
In a study published in the British Medical Journal, French and American researchers therefore looked at the other factors involved in the pathology. Between 1984 and 2000, they monitored the diet of 73,228 women and between 1986 and 1998, that of 47,228 men.
COPD: more risks with a poor diet
Among the volunteers, those whosefood was the healthiest decreased their risk of developing chronic bronchitis by a third compared to others who ate poorly. Promising findings also apply to smokers and ex-smokers.
For scientists, a healthy diet should include lots of whole grains, nuts and fatty fish rich in Omega 3 (salmon, sardines, mackerel …) and must be low in red meats and sugary drinks.
These results confirm the importance of a healthy diet in preventive treatments for COPD.
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COPD: good habits to escape bronchitis
COPD: the forgotten anti-smoking plan
