Sweet way to breathe easier

Eating plenty of red and purple fruits like berries, grapes and cherries can help keep your respiratory system healthy: Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore analyzed data from 463 older adults and found that participants who consumed the highest amount of the dark-pigmented gems were able to breathe more forcefully and deeply—and showed slower rates of lung function decline—than those who ate less of the fruits. According to the study authors, the fruits’ flavonoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against cellular damage from air pollution and oxidative stress.