Children who eat a Mediterranean-style diet — rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts — may experience fewer respiratory problems such as allergies and asthma, according to a new study conducted on the Greek island of Crete. Researchers said this may explain why, on the island, skin allergies are as common as anywhere else but respiratory problems marked by wheezing and sneezing are more rare in children.
Interestingly, children on the island who eat the most fresh fruits and nuts are the least likely to suffer from breathing allergies while children who eat the most margarine tend to have the most allergies. According to the researchers, 80% of children on Crete eat fresh fruit (mainly grapes, oranges, apples and fresh tomatoes) at least twice a day. In their report, they also state that:
“A high consumption of nuts was found to be inversely associated with wheezing, whereas margarine increased the risk of both wheeze and allergic rhinitis (sneezing and runny nose)… Diet may explain the relative lack of allergic symptoms in this population.”
Learn more: Mediterranean diet wards off allergies
I’ve suffered from allergies for a long time now. Wish I had known about this diet awhile ago.