Kid-proof colds - goodnews - Brief Article

Better Nutrition, June, 2003

Eating more fruits, vegetables and especially fish may prevent respiratory diseases and winter coughs in children, says a new study published in the March 14, 2003 issue of Thorax.

The survey of more than 20,200 children age 7 to 11 was carried out in six European countries.

The researchers assessed respiratory health and evaluated the associations between foods and a persistent cough, a winter cough and a wheeze.

All symptoms showed initial associations with nutritional factors, report the scientists. Low consumption of fish and fruit are the most consistent predictors of respiratory ailments, and eating fish less than once a month is strongly linked with a persistent cough or wheeze.

"The possible protective effects of fish intake on respiratory health may be due mainly to fish oil containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids," say the study's authors.