Oranges, sardines and eggs could help protect people exposed to air pollution, Ghana study finds
For people who spend long hours beside busy roads, breathing polluted air is often part of the job. Street vendors, traffic officers, market traders, construction workers and other outdoor workers can spend hours each day exposed to exhaust fumes and other pollutants. Now, a new Ghanaian study suggests that what they eat could help their bodies cope with some of the damage caused by polluted air.…
A recent Ghanaian study suggests that certain foods may help protect street vendors and other outdoor workers from the harmful effects of air pollution. The Dietary Intervention to Mitigate Air Pollution (DIMAP) study followed 307 street vendors in Accra for a year, with one group receiving weekly supplies of antioxidant-rich foods such as oranges, peanuts, sunflower oil, eggs, and sardines.
The vendors worked near some of Accra's busiest roads, where they were exposed to high levels of air pollution. After a year, researchers found that those who ate the antioxidant-rich foods reported fewer symptoms associated with air pollution, including a 55% lower likelihood of developing a persistent cough, 60% lower likelihood of experiencing difficulty breathing, and 81% lower likelihood of suffering dizziness.
The most significant difference was in the frequency of irregular heartbeat, with vendors who received the food intervention being 92% less likely to experience the condition. Lead researcher Professor Kofi Amegah explained that the study's findings support the role of antioxidants in mitigating the health effects of air pollution, as they help the body deal with harmful substances produced by pollutants.
However, Prof. Amegah cautioned that improved nutrition should not replace efforts to reduce pollution at its source, such as implementing air quality regulations. He emphasized the need for both personal protection measures, such as wearing masks, and broader government action to address the pollution problem.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
