The lungs, one of the largest organs in the body, work with the rest of the respiratory system to allow you to take in fresh air and bring oxygen to your body's cells, blood and muscles. Many factors - including smoke, pollution and health conditions such as asthma - can affect your lungs' ability to function, but researchers from the United Kingdom recently discovered that consuming plenty of vitamin C might fuel better lung function.

Researchers followed the dietary intake and lung function of over 1,300 adults over a nine-year period. The study participants underwent periodic lung function tests, recorded their food intake and reported their smoking habits.

After taking into consideration factors that could affect lung function (such as smoking status), the researchers discovered that people who had better lung function scores after nine years also had higher vitamin C intakes. They theorized that a high consumption of vitamin C and foods rich in vitamin C could protect against lung disease.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is found in foods such as citrus juices and fruits, tomatoes, berries, potatoes with skins, green and red peppers, broccoli and spinach. It's recommended that adults consume at least 60 milligrams of vitamin C each day - about the amount in an orange.

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Sources:  McKeever TM, Scrivener S, Broadfield E, Jones Z, Britton J, Lewis SA. Prospective study of diet and decline in lung function in a general population. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2002 May 1;165(9):1299-303.