Antioxidant-rich diet lowered risk of acute respiratory infection and anaemia associated with air pollution in children: Study
A new study has highlighted the importance of an antioxidant-rich balanced diet for neutralising adverse health effects of air pollution exposure to some extent in Indian children under five. The study was published in Frontiers in Public Health on May 9.
Exposure to air pollution (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less -PM2.5) can result in acute respiratory illness (ARI) and anaemia in children. A team of researchers from St John's Medical College, Bengaluru, IIT Delhi and Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, New Delhi, investigated if antioxidant nutrient intakes could mitigate the impact of PM2.5 on child health outcomes in India.
The researchers studied 2,08,782 children with valid ARI and 1,97,289 children with valid hemoglobin measurements. The prevalence of ARI and anaemia were 2.8% and 57.6% respectively. Acute respiratory infections and anaemia are major contributors to childhood morbidity and mortality globally. Children are highly susceptible to these conditions due to their developing immune systems and higher metabolic needs.
Ambient and household air pollution
Anura Kurpad, Professor of Physiology and Nutrition at St John's Medical College, said emerging evidence highlights ambient and household air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter, as a critical environmental risk factor for both ARI and anaemia in children. 'According to the 2023 World Health Statistics, ARI stands as the leading cause of childhood mortality among all infectious diseases. Exposure to PM2.5 has also been shown to increase the risk of anaemia among children,' said Prof Kurpad, who is one of the authors.
The researchers triangulated satellite-derived PM2.5 exposure data at the primary sampling unit level, with ARI and anaemia prevalence data from national district-level survey, and antioxidant nutrient intakes from household food expenditure survey. Logistic mixed effects regression model was used to estimate the effect of PM2.5 at different levels of nutrient intake.
The study found that higher intake of certain antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins A, C and D, as well as minerals like zinc and selenium lowered the risk of ARI associated with high PM 2.5 exposure. Higher intakes of these nutrients could similarly lower the risk of anaemia.
'When translating these nutrients to foods, similar benefits were observed with daily consumption of small amounts of fruits and vegetables. This highlights the potential of increasing dietary diversity with more fruit and vegetable intake, in reducing the adversity of air pollution exposure in children,' said Prof Kurpad.
Qualitative evidence
The researchers concluded that the findings from this study should be treated as qualitative evidence of potential moderation of the air pollution and health association by antioxidants and antioxidant rich food groups.
'These results highlight the potential of dietary strategies in mitigating the adverse effects of air pollution. However, the evidence now needs validation by community-based invention studies or randomised control trials with select antioxidants. While long-term solutions must focus on reducing the root causes of air pollution, such structural changes may take time, especially in developing countries like India. In this context, food-based approaches - particularly increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables—may offer a feasible and complementary pathway to protect vulnerable populations,' the study stated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Yoga, edu workshop at Gorakhnath Temple
Gorakhpur: A week-long Yoga and Educational Workshop was inaugurated on Sunday at Digvijaynath Smriti Bhawan in Gorakhnath Temple here to mark the beginning of International Yoga Day celebrations. The event has been jointly organised by Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath Yoga Institute, Gorakhnath Temple, and Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad. The inaugural session was graced by Prof Ramakrishna Reddy, Vice Chancellor of AYUSH University, Bhathat. Reddy highlighted the global relevance of traditional Indian health practices, stating, "Yoga and Ayurveda are invaluable gifts from India to the world. While Ayurveda helps eliminate physical ailments, yoga fosters mental peace and spiritual balance." The programme was presided over by Yogi Kamalnath, head priest of Gorakhnath Temple.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
MP's maternal mortality ratio drops to 159 but calls for urgent reflection
Bhopal: The Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India 2020-22 reveals that Madhya Pradesh's MMR has decreased to 159 from 173 (2019-21). Despite this progress, the state continues to have concerning maternal health statistics. At 159, Madhya Pradesh records the highest MMR amongst all states, considerably exceeding the national figure of 88. Report indicates need to address deficiencies in maternal healthcare delivery, including insufficient prenatal care services, institutional birth facilities and emergency obstetric care. The state reports a maternal mortality rate of 14, alongside a 0.47% lifetime risk of maternal death, which ranks highest across Indian states, as per SRS data. These statistics underscore the serious health risks faced by expectant mothers in the region. Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India (JSAI) representative Amulya Nidhi attributes these concerns to fundamental issues including insufficient healthcare infrastructure, uneven distribution of rural health services, and social and economic barriers affecting maternal health. He emphasised the necessity for transparent maternal death audit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Considering the significantly lower MMR in other states, Madhya Pradesh needs immediate strategic interventions to enhance maternal health programmes, boost public awareness, and ensure healthcare accessibility and affordability. According to Nidhi, these measures are essential to enhance survival rates and reduce avoidable maternal fatalities.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Epigenetics and a father's role in his baby's blueprint
When it comes to planning a baby, most of the focus is usually on the mother. From taking vitamins to eating right and getting regular check-ups, mums-to-be are often guided carefully to protect their baby's health. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But what about fathers? New research shows that a father's age, diet, mental health, and even how much pollution he breathes in can also affect his child's health—right down to the level of genes. This may come as a surprise, but science is now telling us that fathers play a much bigger role than was once believed, in shaping their children's future health. That we pass on our genes to our children, is widely known. Are those genes affected by our lifestyles and living environment? They certainly do. The study of how our environment influences our genes is known as epigenetics, and studies now show that fathers are as responsible as mothers for their babies' health right from the stage of conception. What is epigenetics— And why should dads care? Our genes are like the instruction manual for how our bodies work. But epigenetics is about how those instructions are read. Think of it like a dimmer switch on a light—not changing the bulb, but turning the brightness up or down. These changes can be caused by things like stress, pollution, smoking, or an unhealthy diet. Sperm cells, which carry the father's DNA, are especially sensitive to these changes. A man's body makes fresh sperm all the time—unlike a woman, who is born with all her eggs. This means a man's environment and habits at a given time can affect the sperm he produces. If a father is exposed to things like air pollution, heavy stress, or poor nutrition, it can lead to subtle changes in how certain genes behave in his children—possibly affecting their growth, development, or risk of disease later in life. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It's not just the mother's age that matters In India, there's a lot of talk about women having babies 'too late'. But we now know that older fathers—usually over the age of 40—may also pass on higher risks of conditions like autism, schizophrenia, or certain learning disabilities. This isn't about blame; it's about being aware of the full picture so that families can make informed choices. Older sperm tend to carry more genetic 'spelling errors' and also show more epigenetic changes—especially if the father has been exposed to harmful environments over time. This doesn't mean one should be afraid, but it is important to know such facts. Why this matters for public health in India In most Indian families, men are part of discussions around pregnancy or family planning unless there's a problem with fertility. But in today's world, where many urban men have long hours at work, experience high stress, pollution, smoking, and consume fast foods in daily diets, ignoring paternal health is a missed opportunity. Just like women are advised to prepare their bodies before pregnancy, men too should be encouraged to take care of their health if they're planning to have children—ideally three to six months before conception. What can fathers do? The good news is that men can take simple, practical steps to improve their sperm health and support their future child's wellbeing: 1. Eat well – A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats 2. Cut back on smoking and alcohol – These can harm sperm quality 3. Sleep and exercise – Regular activity and good sleep help reduce stress 4. Avoid pollution and chemicals – Especially in workplaces or heavy traffic areas and wear a mask to restrict air borne pollutants 5. See a doctor – Especially if planning a pregnancy after age 35 or 40 Small, steady improvements in lifestyle can make a big difference for your future child. Rethinking fatherhood We often think fatherhood begins when the baby arrives. But the truth is, it starts much earlier, before pregnancy even begins. A father's lifestyle and health in the months leading up to conception can shape his child's health in surprising and powerful ways. It's time to include men in the conversation about healthy pregnancies, not merely as supporters, but as active participants in their child's journey to health. Because dads matter too—right down to the genes. Authored by: Dr. Anilkumar Sapare, Senior Consultant, Clinical Lead- Paediatric Medicine, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru
