There has been much in the news about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables in improving risks for heart disease and reducing risks for certain kinds of cancer. Now new studies reported at a conference of the American Thoracic Society suggest that they can reduce the risk of some lung diseases, too.

According to University of Washington researchers, there is extensive evidence that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables benefits the lungs. Their studies showed that eating moderate portions of fruit and vegetables - as little as one and a half pieces of fruit or a large tablespoonful of vegetables every day - could reduce the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema and chronic bronchitis) - even in smokers.

In another report, British researchers found a diet high in fruit may protect against respiratory illness. Eating 5 or more apples and 3 tomatoes a week was associated with improved lung function and reduced the risk of wheezing in people with asthma. While it is too early to know for sure, it is possible that eating these fruits may have some protective effect against long-term decline in lung function.

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