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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- There may be an easy fix for kids with respiratory allergies. In a new study, researchers found children living on the Greek Island of Crete have very few occurrences of asthma and allergic rhinitis, primarily because of their diets, which are rich in fruits, vegetables and nuts.
The researchers assessed the dietary habits, respiratory symptoms and allergic reactions of almost 700 children in Crete, ages 7 to 18. Parents completed questionnaires on their children's allergic and respiratory symptoms as well as their dietary habits. While skin allergies are relatively common on the Greek Island, respiratory allergies are atypical, with cases of allergic rhinitis being especially low.
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The "Mediterranean" diet was measured against a set of 12 different foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole-grains, legumes and olive oil. Researchers report eight out of 10 children ate fresh fruit, and more than two-thirds of them ate fresh vegetables at least twice a day.
Nuts are a rich source of vitamin E, protecting the body against cellular damage caused by free radicals. They also contain high levels of magnesium which, other research suggests, may protect against asthma and enhance lung power.
A daily diet of apples, oranges and tomatoes also protects against allergic rhinitis and wheezing. The researchers report grapes, in particular, may protect against current and previous cases of allergic rhinitis and wheezing.
The report did warn, however, that high consumption of margarine doubled the chances of asthma and allergic rhinitis.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Thorax, published online April 4, 2007
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