Adults who love sausage, bacon, ham, prosciutto, pepperoni, pastrami and other cured meats could be setting themselves up to wheeze. That is the conclusion of a new study from France.
What Did the Study Find?
In this research, dietary data were collected from 971 participants from five different French cities. Asthma symptoms such as wheeze were also tracked.
People who ate at least four servings of cured meats weekly were 76 percent more likely to have worsening asthma symptoms. That was in comparison to adults who ate less than one serving a week of such cured meats.
Nitrites and Inflammation:
The nitrite preservatives found in these foods may contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation. Inflammation, in turn, could lead to breathing difficulty and a wheeze.
The authors conclude that cured meats have a deleterious effect on asthma. This was due in part to greater weight gain among the ham-and-bacon lovers. Even apart from weight gain, however, the researchers point out that dietary factors can influence lung function. Presumably, fresh fruits and vegetables would be better for those who are susceptible to asthma.
