Apple a day ‘repairs lungs of ex-smokers’

DAMAGE done to the lungs by smoking could be reversed by eating apples and tomatoes, a study suggests.

Many people in middle and old age smoked before the dangers became fully apparent and may face lung damage in their later years even after quitting.

However an apple a day, and preferably two tomatoes, appears to slow down the decline in lung function, which leads to irreversible lung disease. These foods could push back a diagnosis of emphysema or chronic bronchitis by years, suggests the research by Imperial College and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in the US.

The results show a diet high in tomatoes can slow the rate of lung damage by four per cent in a decade because of the nutrients they contain. Lead author Dr Vanessa Garcia-Larsen, from Johns Hopkins, said: ‘This study shows that diet might help repair lung damage in people who have stopped smoking. It also suggests that a diet rich in fruits can slow down the lung’s natural aging process even if you have never smoked.

‘The findings support the need for dietary recommendations, especially for people at risk of developing respiratory diseases.’

Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals that can damage the lungs’ natural defence system. These toxins create mucus, which blocks the lungs and weakens them as lung cells forced to clear the toxins are less able to control breathing efficiently. Tomatoes are thought to help because they are rich in vitamins such as lycopene, which combat the effects of the toxins.

Researchers measured the lung function of 680 smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers. Among former smokers, those who ate a lot of fruit produced the highest readings when asked to blow into a measuring device. The ten-year decline in their lung function slowed by four per cent for those who ate two or more tomatoes a day, compared to those who ate less than one. Lung decline fell by two per cent for people who ate at least three apples a day.

Dr Garcia-Larsen said: ‘Lung function starts to decline at around age 30 at variable speed depending on the general and specific health of individuals.

‘Our study suggests that eating more fruits on a regular basis can help reduce the decline as people age, and might even help repair damage caused by smoking.’

Once lung function falls below 70 per cent, someone is classed as having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a form of irreversible lung damage.

The study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, suggests diet could help delay this diagnosis in former smokers. Tomatoes, apples, bananas, herbal tea and vitamin C were all significantly linked with an improvement in lung function.