Supporting previous studies, research conducted by the Institute of Epidemiology at Ulm University in Germany shows that children who eat hamburgers three or more times per week were more likely to have asthma and wheeze than those on a Mediterranean diet.

For the study, the team studied the dietary habits of 50,000 children from 20 countries.  Additionally, 30,000 of the children were tested for allergies.

Dr. Gabriele Nagel, lead researcher, said that in poorer countries, cooked greens seemed to help reduce asthma and wheeze, while children in wealthier countries are protected by eating lots of fish.  Children in both wealthy and poorer countries were protected with a diet high in fruit.

The Mediterranean diet is marked by a healthy intake of fruits, vegetables and fish; meat is consumed sparingly, if at all.

In May, similar results from a study were presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in New Orleans.  That body of research linked fatty meals to impaired lung function (US News and World Report).

The Mediterranean diet has been hailed as a life enhancing eating plan that not only increases longevity, but also quality of life.  Paired with exercise, it can even reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to WebMd.