SHT - Apples and tomatoes good for lungs

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BBC Tuesday, 22 May, 2001, 14:42 GMT 15:42 UK

Apples and tomatoes 'good for lungs'

Scientists have found that if you want to have healthy lungs you should eat apples and tomatoes.

It has been established that eating fresh fruit and vegetables can help to reduce the risk of asthma and chronic lung diseases.

But a new study by Nottingham University suggests that apples and tomatoes may have the biggest beneficial impact.

Researchers quizzed 2,633 adults who had problems with wheezing, asthma or other lung complaints about their diet, and asked them to complete a test designed to measure their lung capacity.

Five a week

They found people who had the greatest lung capacity were those who ate more than five apples a week, or who ate tomatoes at least every other day.

Wheezing was also less common in people who ate a lot of apples.

Apples contain high levels of an antioxidant flavonoid called quercetin which is also found abundantly in onions, tea and red wine, and may be important in protecting the lungs from the harmful effects of atmospheric pollutants and cigarette smoke.

Dr John Harvey, of the British Thoracic Society (BTS), said: "This is an interesting study which shows that 'a tomato and an apple a day' might help people breathe easier.

"We have known for some time that a healthy diet - rich in antioxidants - can have a positive effect on lung function; this is a ripe area for research."

National Asthma Campaign chief medical adviser Dr Martyn Partridge said: "Alteration in the oxidant/anti oxidant ration in the diet can alter susceptibility to asthma and other lung diseases.

"This latest study confirms that regular intake of fresh fruit reduces the risk of developing respiratory disease and represents a simple effective intervention that everyone can adopt to help keep themselves fit."

The research was presented to the American Thoracic Society's annual conference.

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001

Answers

Last few months I've been eating applesauce and yogurt on a waffle for lunch, and I must say my asthma has been better. Hmmm. I'll pass this on to my doctor!

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

I had a sinus infection, then came my weekend from hell. I think it has turned into walking pnewmonia or broncitus (sp). Guess I'm gonna eat a ton of apples, after I get back from the doctor today. Oh yes, I've got my eye on the green tomatos as well.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

Thanks, git...was looking for the quercetin and what foods to get it...and here is this article!!!!!!! Ask, and I received!

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

Will it help walking pneumonia?

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001

The only things I know of to help walking pneu is erithromycin and an inhaler! Be sure to take some of those disinfectant wipes and wipe off things like the phone--don't need everyone to get it. It's no fun. I used to get it every August so I figured it was triggered by an allergy. When we left New Orleans, I didn't get it any more. Sweetie had it last winter and it scared him to death. He's never felt that weak!

I wish I could get our Ginger to eat apples but I've never known a cat who would. (He has a bit of asthma now and then.)

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001



Sheeple...this is smelly, but it works! slice up yellow onions and cover with water to boil them till soft, about 5-10 minutes. drain most of water ans save. when you have them cooled just enough to be able to stand having then placced on you chest, (especially over the bronchials, ) layer them on. (I usually put on a t'shirt, place the very warm onions on my upper chest (Above the boobs)then cover with a dish towel an lay there till the onions become cool. also sniff the onions. take the onion "juice" and add some honey and squirt of lemon, and take a tablespoon as need for coughing up flem. all this is really stinking and gross, but it has worked for me and mine and we haven't gone to the hospital for pneumonia for years. You want to shower when you are done, but if you can stand it over night, leave the smellys there, it draws the poisons out, don't know how...it just does. It has always made us better but the following morning!

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Sar,

Thanks! I may just do this treatment tonight. (To all be damned with the smell, cause I just want to feel better!)

So far, the meds don't seem to be doing the trick, other than I don't think it is getting worse. I do know that it isn't getting any better. The second day on the meds, I thought I was getting better, only to be hit hard on the third day. Since then, sosdd.

Funny, but just reading the responses, let alone replying to one, just about wipes me out. I'm not the type to lay about all day, but that is about all that I can do. Even sitting in a chair really tires me out.

Oh well....

Sheeple

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001


I've had days when being awake tired me out.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Sheeps, it can wipe you out GOOD for two weeks; after that it takes a lot more time to regain your former strength. I was amazed at how weak it made me--so was Sweetie. Give in to the tiredness, though--the more you fight it, the longer you'll be ill.

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2001

Old Git,

I know not to fight it. When I first moved to this state, I got it the first late fall/early winter after getting a flu shot. (At least that is what the doctor told me gave it to me.) I had to continue working, although it was on a somewhat limited basis. I got it in late October and didn't get rid of it completely until early February. On the 24th of December that year, he wanted to put me in the hospital, seems as it had progressed from walking into full blown pneumonia. I told him that he wasn't about to take me away from my son on Christmas (he was 2 at the time), and he told me complete bed rest. I agreed. Hey, after all, I didn't have to cook Christmast feast that year, of course it wasn't much of a feast either. : )

Anyway, I spent the next two weeks in bed following strict doctor's orders. Except for the bathroom, I didn't get up. It finally started to go away. It was sometime in either June or July that I begin to feel like my 'old' self.

So, I don't want to go there again. I already bought the T-shirt once, I don't need a stinking another one.

Sheeple

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2001



Except for time of year, my story is the same. Two weeks complete rest. I've never had a flu shot so can't blame that. I still believe mine was due to an allergy, probably to some sort of mold, there being copious quantities of same in New Orleans.

Odd--just remembered Sweetie's bout was over Christmas. Hmm. Maybe there's something in the air up here in late December besides holly :)

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2001


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