Veggies might shield against air pollution, cigarette smoke

Veggies might shield against air pollution, cigarette smoke


There’s a good reason why your mother told you to eat your vegetables. They’re packed with vitamins and other nutrients. They’re low in calories and are great sources of fiber. Veggies reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and are even thought to improve your skin.

Kind of the elixir of good health.

Now researchers at the University of Delaware are adding one more arrow to the vegetable quiver: Some might help the body ward off the toxins found in air pollution and cigarette smoke.

Not all vegetables. Scientists involved in this study say the effect is seen in apiaceous [ay-pee-ay-shuhs] vegetables. These are members of a family of aromatic flowering plants that includes carrots, celery, parsley and dill. Poisonous hemlock is also an apiaceous plant, although that is thankfully not a dietary staple.

Researchers found in laboratory tests that these vegetables increase antioxidant enzyme activity that helps our bodies reduce a harmful toxin found in pollution and cigarette smoke. It does this by converting the toxin in the liver into a water-soluble acid that our bodies can safely excrete.

Investigators calculate it takes about 1⅓ cups of apiaceous veggies daily to make a difference.

They emphasized that you’ve got to actually eat the produce to get the health benefit. Just tossing back supplements from a bottle won’t get you there.

This isn’t a cure-all for the smog and secondhand smoke in your life. And scientists say more research is needed. But vegetables aren’t going to hurt you if you want to eat in a way that keeps your lungs and body healthy. Just avoid the hemlock.

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