| Major bibliographic databaseswere searched for studies examining the relationship
between fruit and vegetable consumption and the risk of wheezing and asthma.
Random-effects models were used to pool study results. Subgroup analyses
were conducted by fruit and vegetable categories, study design, and age group.
Twelve cohorts, 4 population-based case-control studies, and 26 cross-sectional
studies published between January 1990 and July 2013 were identified. For the
meta-analysis of adults and children, the relative risk (RR) and confidence intervals
(CI) when comparing the highest intake group with the lowest intake group were
0.78 (95%CI, 0.70–0.87) for fruit and 0.86 (95%CI, 0.75–0.98) for vegetables. High
intake of fruit and vegetables (RR = 0.76; 95%CI, 0.68–0.86 and RR = 0.83; 95%CI,
0.72–0.96) reduced the risk of childhood wheezing. Total intake of fruit and
vegetables had a negative association with risk of asthma in adults and children
(RR = 0.54; 95%CI, 0.41–0.69). Consuming fruit and vegetables during pregnancy
had no association with the risk of asthma in offspring. High intake of fruit and
vegetables may reduce the risk of asthma and wheezing in adults and children. |