high sugar diet

High sugar diet may harm people with asthma

Eating too much sugar is widely known to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.  Now new research suggests that it may also make asthma symptoms worse. A study published in the journal Nutrients found that a high sugar diet can increase inflammation in the lungs making asthma attacks more likely in people with the condition.

The research was carried out on mice. Scientists gave the animals their normal food along with sweetened milk. Within just two weeks the mice showed higher levels of lung inflammation.

According to the researchers this is one of the first studies to show how quickly excess sugar can worsen inflammation linked to asthma.

Asthma is a long term disease that affects the airways and makes breathing difficult.  Although there is no cure the condition can be managed with proper treatment and healthy lifestyle choices.

During an asthma attack the airways become swollen and the muscles around them tighten. This can cause coughing wheezing chest tightness and shortness of breath making everyday activities harder.

The researchers said that when children eat too much sugar people usually worry about tooth decay or weight gain but rarely think about its possible effects on asthma.

They added that the findings support the idea of limiting sugar intake especially for people living with asthma.

According to the researchers too much sugar may affect the immune system and trigger inflammation which can make asthma symptoms more severe.

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