A sweetie after a meal can treat respiratory diseases

Sugar, if consumed in excess, only harms the body. But that dessert after lunch can help treat respiratory illnesses.

Read more: Sugary drinks increase the risk of premature death in women

A study in mice showed how glucose is used to regulate the immune system during a lung infection.

Therefore, the presence of sugar in the bloodstream also helped to reduce the inflammation of diseases such as asthma , allergies and infections.

Research has shown that this is because the lung’s defense cells need energy (which comes from sugar) to fight infectious agents.

The researchers say that other treatments for respiratory diseases can be thought of based on this discovery. They believe that inhaling sugar may, in the future, be recommended to treat cases of asthma and rhinitis .

Despite being optimistic about the results, experts recommend further studies in this area.

The research, done in England by the University of Manchester and the University of Southampton, was published in the journal Nature Immunology.

Asthma

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), 150 million people worldwide have asthma. About 10% of the Brazilian population suffers from this disease.

Asthma is a chronic inflammation influenced by genetics and environmental issues. The main symptoms are: shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, coughing and chest pain.

The diagnosis is made by exams and treatment may require the use of medication or not, depending on each case.

Rhinitis

According to the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology, between 10% and 25% of the population suffers from rhinitis. The percentage varies according to the region of the country.

Rhinitis is also an inflammation caused in the mucous membranes of the nose. Sneezing, itching and nasal congestion are the most common symptoms.

In some cases, rhinitis is accompanied by other diseases, such as sinusitis .

Still without a cure, some medications can relieve symptoms.


Excessive sugar consumption can have many consequences for the body. But a few grams can help people with respiratory illnesses.

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