| ■ Apple Juice May Reduce Asthma Risk | 07.06.04 |
| Apple juice may help prevent asthma in children, says a British study published in the European Respiratory Journal. The study by researchers at the National Heart and Lung Institute found that children ages 5 to 10 who drank apple juice at least once a day were half as likely to experience wheezing as children who drank apple juice less than once a month, BBC News reported. Eating fresh apples did not appear to offer the same benefits, the study said. The researchers said they did not establish a link between drinking apple juice and a reduced chance of an actual asthma diagnosis. However, they noted that wheezing is one of the most important signs that a child is at increased risk for asthma, BBC News reported. Phytochemicals -- such as flavanoids and phenolic acids -- in apples may help reduce airway inflammation that's a key feature in both wheezing and asthma, said researcher Dr. Peter Burney. A series of studies have found a link between apples and lung health. |