Community
Print
You might think skipping fruit here and there is no big deal. But according to emerging research, the dangers of not eating enough fruit could be far more serious than most people realize, particularly if you live in a polluted city.
A recent video from Plant Based Science London explores a new study linking low fruit intake to worse lung function and increased health risks. (Plant Based News covered the study itself in this recently published article.)
Plant Based Science London is known for turning complex nutrition research into clear, practical videos. Their mission focuses on helping people understand how whole plant foods change the body. In this video, they emphasize why consuming at least four portions of fruit per day matters. They also explain why many people, especially in countries like the US, may face serious long-term health consequences from eating less fruit.
Read more: Fruits And Vegetables Could Help Protect Reproductive Function From Microplastics, Study Finds
In the video, fruit intake is connected to air pollution. More than 90% of the global population is exposed to air pollution, according to the study presented.
How air pollution and fruit intake collide
The research was presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Amsterdam. It used data from around 150,000 adults in the UK Biobank database.
Researchers looked at diet, air pollution exposure, and lung function. Lung function was measured using FEV1, which shows how much air a person can forcefully exhale in one second.
The study focused on very fine air pollution particles known as PM2.5. These are tiny particles released by vehicles and industry that penetrate deep into the lungs. As the narrator explains, these particles are “2.5 micrometers or smaller.”
The results were striking. With every five microgram increase in PM2.5 exposure, women with low fruit intake had a much bigger drop in lung function compared to women who ate more fruit.
The researchers state: “Our study confirmed that a healthy diet is linked to better lung function in both men and women regardless of air pollution exposure.”
They add that women eating four or more portions of fruit per day had “smaller reductions in lung function associated with air pollution compared to those who consumed less fruit.”
Why fruit may protect the lungs
The study suggests fruit may partly protect the lungs from pollution damage because of its natural compounds.
The researchers explain: “This may be partly explained by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds naturally present in fruit.”
These compounds help fight oxidative stress and inflammation caused by pollution. Over time, less inflammation means less damage to delicate lung tissue.
Interestingly, the protective effect was stronger in women. The researchers note that men generally reported lower fruit intake. This could explain why the benefit wasn’t as clear in male participants.
The chair of the European Respiratory Society’s expert group supports this link. “This study confirms the potential respiratory health benefits of a healthy diet, especially rich in fresh fruit intake,” she says.
Why low fruit intake is a global health risk
Beyond lung health, Plant Based Science London highlights the broader dangers of not eating enough fruit through comments from respiratory health experts.
A UK lung and asthma charity leader adds, “We know that a high fruit diet supports lung function. But it’s an interesting step forward in this study to see that it could also counteract the effects of air pollution on our lungs.”
This is especially relevant in countries where fruit consumption is low. In the U.S., many adults fail to meet daily fruit recommendations. This happens in spite of facing high levels of urban air pollution.
The video warns that low fruit intake may not just reduce quality of life. It can increase the risk of early death. This brings another layer of urgency to the dangers of not eating enough fruit.
Dr. Greger: Not eating enough fruit is America’s top dietary killer
At the end of the video, Plant Based Science London includes a clip from Dr. Michael Greger, connecting this study to a much broader global picture.
He references one of the largest health studies ever conducted: “So, there’s this global burden of disease study funded by Bill Gates… Largest study ever in the history of humankind on risk factors for disease.”
According to Greger, in the United States, the biggest dietary risk is not sugar, not fat, and not salt.
He states, “In the United States, the number one killer is not eating enough fruit”, according to them. “It’s more important to eat fruit than it is to not smoke.”
He also explains how millions of deaths globally could be prevented by increasing fruit consumption. “They basically went through each of the diseases and found out which proportion could be prevented by eating more fruit,” Greger says.
Why this matters now
With air pollution levels rising in many cities and fruit intake still low in many countries, this research sends a clear message.
Fruit is not just “healthy.” It could be protective. And failing to eat enough of it may come with serious health consequences.
The evidence presented by Plant Based Science London reinforces how deeply the dangers of not eating enough fruit connect to lung health, chronic disease, and even global mortality.
Find more plant-based health and nutrition content on Plant Based Science London’s YouTube channel.
Read more: The 9 Healthiest Fruits, According To Nutritionists
