Fast Food and Asthma

Need another reason to steer clear of fast food?
A small study suggests that high-fat meals could trigger an asthma attack.

New research may give new meaning to the phrase Big Mac attack. A preliminary study indicates that just one high-fat meal — in this case, fast-food hamburgers and hash browns — can increase airway inflammation and reduce lung function in people with asthma up to four hours later.
Though more research is needed, another recent study found that kids who eat three or more burgers a week are at greater risk of asthma than those who follow a Mediterranean diet.
While this doesn’t mean fast food causes asthma, it does suggest that diets rich in fruits and vegetables may help protect against conditions like asthma.