BOSTON, Jul 9, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Pregnant women who consumed seven
servings per day of fruits and vegetables moderately reduced risk of upper
respiratory infection, U.S. researchers say.
Upper respiratory tract infections include the common cold and sinus infections,
which can lead to lower respiratory problems, such as asthma or pneumonia.
Senior author Martha M. Werler of the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston
University says eating nutritious foods, especially fruits and vegetables,
improves immunity but that hadn't previously been associated with reducing the
risk of upper respiratory infections in pregnant women.
The study of more than 1,000 pregnant women, published in the journal Public
Health Nutrition, found those who ate the most fruits and vegetables were 26
percent less likely to have a upper respiratory infection relative to those who
ate the least amount.
It has been recommended that pregnant women consume at least five servings of
fruits and vegetables per day.
"Pregnant women may require more fruits and vegetables than usual because of the
extra demands on the body," Werler said in a statement.
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