Apple Juice May Help Asthma Sufferers
Published May 31st, 2007
The European Respiratory Journal’s latest issue reports that drinking apple juice daily may reduce wheezing in children suffering from asthma. The UPI reports that the research was conducted by the National Heart and Lung Institute of Great Britain
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease. Asthma causes the airway to become constricted and inflamed. This usually happens from some sort of trigger. The trigger can be cold or warm and humid air, allergens, pollutants in the air, exercise, or stress. In children, asthma triggers are usually viruses such as a cold.
A researcher said that phytochemicals in apples could be the reason for the effectiveness of apple juice, UPI reports. The phytochemicals could reduce inflammation in the trachea. This inflammation is a common trait in both wheezing incidents and asthma. Researchers do not know why apples eaten whole don’t provide the same benefit.
Phytochemicals include flavonoids that are being researched the world over for their health benefits. Some studies have shown flavonoids to be effective at protecting cells from damage and from hardening of the arteries. Excellent sources of flavonoids are both green and white tea, onions, and cooked tomatoes. UPI reports that asthma researcher Dr. Mike Thomas told the BBC in an interview that some evidence suggests that a diet rich in anti-oxidants in general is effective for people who suffer from asthma.
The UPI reports that the University of Aberdeen in Scotland released a related report recently. The report stated that pregnant women who consume large amounts of apples could protect their baby from developing asthma.
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