Eating lots of fruits and vegetables appears to improve lung function, according to results of a study of European men. As expected, smoking had a negative effect on lung function in men from all three countries. Vitamins C and E and beta-carotene are all antioxidants that are found in produce and that are believed to fight damage in the airways as well as in other parts of the body. In all three countries, lung function was better in men whose fruit and vegetable intake was above average, and worse in those whose intake was below average. Interestingly, fish intake was not a significant factor in any country.

Thorax 1999;54:1021-1026

COMMENT: More evidence to support an increased intake of fruits and vegetables.