A new study has found that those with high blood levels of beta-carotene may have better lung function as they age. As the health of the lungs begins to decline in the late 20s, this is yet another reason to eat more carrots, spinach, and broccoli.

The study also brought good news for smokers. Researchers found that beta-carotene and vitamin E might also offer some protection to the lungs of heavy smokers. But scientists emphasize that this does not mean a spinach salad a day can prevent lung cancer.

The results of the study were based on 1,194 adults between 20 and 44 who were measured for blood levels of vitamins A and E, beta-carotene and alpha-carotene, and for lung function. Lung function is defined as the amount of air a person can forcefully exhale in one second.

Those who had higher levels of beta-carotene had less impaired lung function over the next eight years. The lead author of the study, Dr. Armelle Guenegou, of the French national health institute INSERM, attributes the positive results to beta-carotene's ability to fight free-radicals.

[via Thorax]

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