TOPLINE:

Long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants over 48 months was associated with an increased risk for asthma exacerbation in women, even at low concentrations. Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) showed the strongest association with higher odds of exacerbation. A plant-based diet did not modify these effects.

METHODOLOGY:

Researchers assessed the associations between 48-month air pollution exposure and asthma exacerbations in the Nurses’ Health Study II cohort and examined whether a plant-based diet modifies these relationships.

Overall, they analyzed 4326 women (mean age, 43 years; 96.7% White individuals) with physician-diagnosed asthma and medication use during 1997-1998 and 2013-2014 periods.

Plant-based diet adherence was evaluated every 4 years using a validated food-frequency

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