A study, published in the journal Thorax, suggests that consuming more than four portions of processed meat a week can severely affect the symptoms of asthma.
The study featured nearly 1,000 French people, of which those with the highest intake of cured and processed meat were 76 per cent more likely to experience shortness of breath and chest tightness; these symptoms got considerably worse over time, particularly when compared to the others in the study.
The researchers suggest this is down to a preservative used in these meats, called nitrite, however they say the link has not yet been proved and as such, further research is needed to pinpoint the cause.
Researchers also suggest that rather than focussing on any particular food group, people should ensure that they consume a healthy and varied diet. They do however suggest that people should try to eat no more than 70g of red or processed meat per day; this is the equivalent of one sausage or rasher of bacon.
The participants in the study were taking part in a health survey, which lasted a decade, in the years between 2003 and 2013. Half of these were asthma sufferers and the other half had never presented any symptoms of the condition.
The researchers found a clear link between meat intake and asthma symptoms, with people who said they consumed more than four portions a week feeling the largest negative effects on their asthma symptoms.
The experts were careful to insist that diet cannot definitely be said to cause or directly affect asthma, as there are a number of factors that must be taken into consideration.
“Although certain foods can be triggers for allergies in some people, there is no specific dietary advice to manage asthma symptoms generally. For most people with asthma, healthy eating advice is exactly the same as it is for everyone else: follow a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh and unprocessed food and is low in sugar, salt and saturated fat” said Head of Research at Asthma UK, Dr Erika Kennington.
Catherine Collins of the British Dietetic Association recommended “a varied and Mediterranean-style diet”, which would contain a large amount of fresh vegetables, “whether you have asthma or not.”
