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Why Former And Current Smokers Should Eat More Fruits And Vegetables

It could be a significant way to combat COPD, which encompasses lung diseases that make it hard to breathe.

By: Ryan Biek

Posted at 11:58 AM, Mar 01, 2017

and last updated 2017-03-01 11:58:57-05

To all former and current smokers: Fruits and vegetables may be your ticket to living a longer life.

A new study tracked more than 44,000 Swedish men and their rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

COPD is usually caused by smoking and encompasses lung diseases that make it hard to breathe. Experts predict it'll soon be the world's third-leading cause of death.

The study found current and former smokers who ate five servings of fruits and vegetables a day were less than half as likely to develop COPD than those who only ate two servings.

What's more, each additional serving lowered the risk of COPD between 4 and 8 percent.

But not all produce is equal in this case. Focusing on fruits and vegetables with antioxidants –– like apples, peppers and leafy greens –– is the key.

The researchers note their study is correlational, and smokers shouldn't completely count on fruits and vegetables to prevent the disease. Quitting smoking should still be the first priority.