Sunday, March 14, 2010

Fiber-rich diet lowers lung disease risk

Following a diet rich in fiber particularly from whole grains lowers the risk of developing chronic lung diseases, a new study finds.

"For COPD prevention, the most important public health message remains smoking cessation," said lead researcher Raphaelle Varraso, adding that the diet is another modifiable factor which might influence one's risk of developing COPD.

According to the study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, individuals with the highest fiber intake are at the lowest risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of such a diet might be the main reasons leading to the findings of this study.

Scientists, therefore, advised men to adopt a diet filled with 30 to 38 grams of fiber per day, adding that women should get 21 to 25 grams of the content in their daily routine.

Scientists added that fiber-rich diets can not prevent COPD, stressing that quitting smoking is the main key to staving off the disease.

Related Stories:

Pipes, cigars as harmful as cigarettes
Soy products 'lower' lung cancer risk in men
Secondhand smoke harmful for smokers: Study