Sugar ‘can fight lung infections’

INHALING sugar could be a way to tackle lung infections, research suggests.

Scientists made the discovery while investigating white blood cells called macrophages, which remove harmful organisms from the immune system.

The Manchester University team said macrophages in the lungs need the right level of glucose to function properly.

Stimulating the cells with more sugar might help the immune system fight off bronchial infections responsible for coughing fits and pneumonia, they say in the journal Nature Immunology.