- According to recent research published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, a plant-based diet could help those with asthma manage their symptoms better.
- As always, though, check with your doctor before making any major changes in your diet—everyone is different, and what works for one person might not work for another.
There’s no question that managing your asthma is important when it comes to logging both running and non-running workouts. Plus, people with moderate to severe asthma may be at higher risk for getting sick from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since the virus affects the respiratory tract and could lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease.
And while there are some obvious precautions you can take that can help prevent your asthma symptoms from occurring in the first place—such as doing proper warmups and cooldowns, knowing (and not exceeding) your limits, and paying attention to the air quality outside—new research suggests something you might never have thought of before: go plant-based.
In the meta-analysis, published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, researchers with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) reviewed studies related to diet and asthma, and they found that plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can be beneficial because these choices have been shown to reduce systemic inflammation.
Another major benefit of plant-based choices? A high amount of fiber, which has been linked to better lung function, study coauthor Hana Kahleova, M.D., Ph.D., director of clinical research for the PCRM, told Runner’s World.
This is also likely related to lower inflammation—basically, when you eat high amounts of fiber, you’re usually getting that from foods that are anti-inflammatory like vegetables. Highly processed foods are notoriously low in fiber by comparison.
“Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, and prevalence of the condition has continued to rise as Western dietary patterns have become more pervasive,” said Kahleova. “Plant-based foods can not only address that inflammation, but also have a positive effect through weight management and better immune response.”
High consumption of saturated fat—like the kind found in many animal products—was also associated with higher amounts of inflammation and, subsequently, poor lung function in asthma patients. That’s why the PCRM recommends steering clear of saturated fat and dairy for those with moderate to severe asthma, especially now during the coronavirus pandemic.
One way to make more room in your shopping cart for vegetables? Skip the dairy aisle. The researchers found a compelling amount of evidence that dairy and eggs could exacerbate asthma symptoms. For example, in one study, participants experienced 22 percent improvement in their peak expiratory flow rate—a measure of how quickly you’re able to exhale—after eliminating dairy foods
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In reviewing the studies, researchers highlighted the fact that it can take time to see the benefits, but some participants saw improvement in symptoms in about eight weeks.
“This research offers hope that dietary changes can be helpful,” said Kahleova. “Filling our plates with plant-based foods can be a powerful tool for preventing and managing asthma.”
As always, though, check with your doctor before making any major changes in your diet—everyone is different, and what works for one person might not work for another.
Elizabeth Millard is a freelance writer focusing on health, wellness, fitness, and food.
