6 April 2007 Rating 134% No Comment  

A healthy Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, vegetables and nuts can help protect against asthmatic wheezing and other allergic symptoms, according to a recently completed research study. The research focused on around 700 children in Crete who enjoyed food such as olive oil and whole grains, the study found that the children suffered fewer asthmatic and allergic symptoms. Researchers asked parents to complete a questionnaire about their children's diet and respiratory problems. They found that eight out of 10 of the children ate fresh fruit, and more than two-thirds ate fresh vegetables, at least twice a day. The effect of the diet appeared strongest on allergic rhinitis, which results in a runny or blocked nose, but it also afforded protection against asthmatic symptoms and skin allergies. The study found children who ate nuts at least three times a week were also less likely to wheeze. Grapes in particular seemed to protect against the wheezing and allergic rhinitis, however a high consumption of margarine doubled the chances of asthma and allergic rhinitis. The report concluded that, "Children in Crete consume high quantities of locally produced fruits and vegetables, such regular and frequent consumption may have a beneficial role against wheezing and rhinitis symptoms. "A high intake of fruit, vegetables and nuts may have a protective role on the prevalence of asthma-like symptoms and allergic rhinitis." The research was carried out by teams from the University of Crete, Venezelio General Hospital in Crete, the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, and the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona.