It is a known fact the people who have higher intake of fruit and vegetables, thus more flavonoid, is associated with better pulmonary function.

Researchers from Australia published their findings in European Respiratory Journal of the protective nature of flavonoids against COPD in smokers.

The researchers analyzed a prospective cohort of 55,413 men and women without COPD between the ages of 50 and 65 at the time of recruitment. Regular flavonoid intake at baseline was estimated based on food frequency questionnaire. In the 23 year followup, the researchers compared the incidence of COPD with flavonoid intake.

Researchers found an inverse relationship between flavonoid intake and COPD risks for current and former smokers. Participants in the highest quintile of habitual flavonoid intake had a 20% lower risk of developing COPD. High flavonoid intake appeared to have modified the predicted risk of developing COPD over 20 years. However, one should still man up and stop smoking completely or never begin because the researchers also noted in their study that no matter how high the flavonoid intake was, its intake only lessen the risk of COPD, but did not negate it.

Nothing will save you from your bad habits, the results of those are the consequences of your own choices. Remember that. However, one can also improve their situation by stopping those bad habits now and engaging in healthy ones. One such habit, is eating whole food, plant-based one filled with many flavonoids.

NP Bondonno et al. Flavonoid intakes inversely associate with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. European Respiratory Journal 2022. Early View: DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02604-2021