Med diet 'could prevent asthma'

Eating a Mediterranean diet could help protect children from respiratory allergies and asthma, according to UK, Greek and Spanish researchers who assessed the diet and health of almost 700 children living in rural areas of Crete, where such conditions are rare. They found those with a diet rich in fruit and vegetables were protected against both conditions. The study, in Thorax, added to existing evidence that diet could help control asthma symptoms.

Parents of the children, who were aged between seven and 18, were also asked how often they ate 58 foods in nine categories; vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish, cereal, dairy products, meat, poultry and margarines and oils. The research found 80% of the children ate fresh fruit, and over two-thirds of them fresh vegetables, at least twice a day. Eating oranges, apples, tomatoes and grapes each day, which around 300 children did, was shown to have a protective effect against wheezing and allergic rhinitis. Red grape skin contains high levels of antioxidants as well as resveratrol, a potent polyphenol, known to curb inflammatory activity, say the authors. Children who ate nuts - a rich source of vitamin E - at least three times a week, again just over 300, were less likely to wheeze. Vitamin E is the body's main defence against cell damage caused by free radicals. Nuts also contain high levels of magnesium, which other research has suggested may protect against asthma and boost lung power.

However, high consumption of margarine more than once a week (331 children) doubled the chances of asthma and allergic rhinitis, compared with those who ate it less frequently, the findings showed. Dr Paul Cullinan, of the Royal Brompton Hospital and National Heart and Lung Institute, said: "It may be that diet is an important link in translating skin test responses to actual allergies. "The message of the study is that foods with high antioxidant levels are good for you."

Bonnie - surprising? I think not.