Will High-Fiber Food Reduce Asthma Attacks?
Inflammation of the respiratory tract that occurs in conditions such as asthma, is an immune system that misjudges harmless triggers such as dust mites as a threat. This condition causes the respiratory tract inflamed, causing symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath.
Cases of allergic asthma are increasing in developed countries, where people less frequently eat high fiber foods. The researchers sought to see a possible link between the two factors. They conducted a series of laboratory and animal experiments on mice and found that mice given high soluble fiber (in humans equivalent to fruits and vegetables) had a protective effect on lung inflammation compared with other fiber-treated rats.
It is important not to interpret that this invention can be applied with certainty to humans, but this is a good starting point for further research on humans.
High fiber foods are recommended, even if they are not effective in preventing asthma. High fiber can prevent heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, and some cancers, and can improve digestive health.
Does eating affect the risk of asthma? Recent studies in Switzerland show that consumption of dietary fiber may affect this condition.
The researchers' discovery
In a recent study by the Swiss National Science Foundation, some mice were fed a diet rich in fiber, and other mice ate foods that contained very little fiber. Then all the rats were given extracts containing dust mites, allergens, and asthma triggers. Mice who ate low-fiber foods reacted more to dust mites and produced more lung mucus (common symptoms of asthma) than mice consuming the amount of fiber in foods.
What is the role of fiber in asthma symptoms?
Why does fiber have an effect on asthma symptoms? The answer lies in the immune system, in which the body defends itself. Inflammation is the immune system's response and helps in the fight against injury and infection. However, chronic and long-term inflammation is associated with several health problems. Dietary fiber acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, and researchers from Switzerland show that in the digestive system, fiber turns into short chain fatty acids that trigger the production of immune cells. Immune cells then migrate to the lungs, where they inhibit allergic or asthma responses effectively.
Dietary fiber has a positive effect on the human digestive system. Other studies have shown an association between high dietary fiber intake and lower bowel cancer. However, studies in Switzerland show that the effects of dietary fiber on inflammatory processes can benefit not only the digestive system, but also in the lungs and other important organs.
Research in the future
Rats are not human and do not experience asthma as in humans. Ideally, the next step is a study similar to humans as the subject. Meanwhile, because of the high benefits of high-fiber foods, add fruits and vegetables to your diet. Although the impact of fiber on asthma is unclear, a diet rich in high-fiber fruits and vegetables can provide many health benefits.
