Improving indoor air quality not only reduces breathing difficulties but also promotes beneficial changes in the gut microbiome according to a recent study.

The research highlights a gut-lung connection suggesting that enhancing our microbiomes could offer new ways to guard against the harmful effects of air pollution noted co-author Joseph Allen associate professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and director of the Healthy Buildings program in a May 29 blog post.

Led by Peggy Lai associate professor at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School the study was published on May 21 in Environmental Health Perspectives.

While we often can’t control the air we breathe our study shows that air pollution affects the microbes in our gut which in turn impacts lung health said Lai. The positive takeaway is that healthy lifestyle choices like good nutrition might help protect us from some of air pollution’s harmful effects.

While earlier research hinted that air pollution affects the gut microbiome a community of bacteria viruses and other microbes this link remained unclear. The new randomized controlled trial helped eliminate other factors like diet and socioeconomic status that could influence the microbiome.

The study focused on women in rural Uganda where kerosene lamps are commonly used for home lighting. After receiving indoor solar lighting systems these women experienced fewer breathing issues and changes in their gut microbes associated with cleaner indoor air were connected to their improved respiratory health.

While earlier research hinted that air pollution affects the gut microbiome a community of bacteria viruses and other microbes this link remained unclear. The new randomized controlled trial helped eliminate other factors like diet and socioeconomic status that could influence the microbiome.

The study focused on women in rural Uganda where kerosene lamps are commonly used for home lighting. After receiving indoor solar lighting systems these women experienced fewer breathing issues and changes in their gut microbes associated with cleaner indoor air were connected to their improved respiratory health.

Source: https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/cleaner-indoor-air-helps-breathing-alters-gut-microbiome-and-suggests-new-ways-to-fight-pollution-harms-study-finds/