Would you like wheeze with that?
EATING hamburgers three or more times a week can raise your risk of asthma, experts have warned.
Chinese scientists found junk food was associated with the chronic lung condition.
They surveyed nearly half a million people – teenagers 13– 14 years and the parents of children aged six and seven.
Junk food also raised the chance of wheeze and other allergic diseases such as hayfever and allergic rhinitis.
Other junk foods such as fizzy drinks and takeaways did not have such a severe effect.
The Sichuan University researchers said: “In recent decades, fast foods have become an important component of the diet, especially in wester“Poor nised, high-income countries.
“Fast food consumption is associated with poor diet quality, high calorie intake, overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Obesity is an independent risk for asthma and allergic sensitisation. quality diet is likely to contribute to the development and progression of asthma or wheeze via multiple mechanisms.
“For example, saturated fatty acids can activate receptors which lead to the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals, which can contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases of the airways.
“A high-fat meal exacerbates airway inflammation in asthma. In addition, the consumption of fast foods reduces the consumption of foods that are rich in protective nutrients, such as fruits and vegetables.”
Also, cutting fruit and vegetable consumption is likely to lead to increased problems with asthma.