Street vendors in Accra who spend long hours beside busy roads may have a new ally in their fight against air pollution: their diet. Researchers from the University of Cape Coast have found that eating antioxidant-rich foods like oranges and sardines could help their bodies cope with some of the damage caused by polluted air.
Study Finds Eating Antioxidants May Shield Vendors from Air Pollution
A new Ghanaian study, the Dietary Intervention to Mitigate Air Pollution (DIMAP), followed 307 street vendors in Accra for 12 months. The study was led by Professor Kofi Amegah, an Associate Professor of Environmental and Nutritional Epidemiology at the University of Cape Coast. One group of vendors received a weekly supply of foods including oranges, peanuts, sunflower oil, eggs, and sardines, while another group continued with their usual diets.
The vendors worked along some of Accra's busiest roads, including Atomic Junction, Madina, Lapaz, Tetteh Quarshie, Kaneshie, Graphic Road, Makola, and Kwame Nkrumah Circle. These areas see thousands of vehicles pass every day, exposing people who work there to pollution for long periods.
Air Pollution Levels in Accra Remain High
Air quality monitors used during the study recorded average PM2.5 levels of about 40 micrograms per cubic metre along the study routes. PM2.5 is made up of extremely small particles in the air that can travel deep into the lungs and, in some cases, enter the bloodstream. Long-term exposure can increase the risk of heart and lung diseases, stroke, and other serious health problems.
Eating Antioxidants May Reduce Symptoms of Air Pollution
After following the vendors for a year, researchers found that those who regularly ate the antioxidant-rich foods reported fewer symptoms associated with air pollution. They were 55 percent less likely to develop a persistent cough, 60 percent less likely to experience difficulty breathing, and 81 percent less likely to suffer dizziness. The biggest difference was recorded in irregular heartbeat, with vendors who received the food intervention being 92 percent less likely to experience the condition.
Antioxidants Help the Body Cope with Pollution
Antioxidants are substances found naturally in many foods. They help the body deal with harmful substances that can be produced when pollution enters the body. The researchers therefore recommend increasing the intake of foods such as oranges and other fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, peanuts, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including fatty fish and avocado.
Combating Air Pollution Requires a Multi-Pronged Approach
Professor Amegah cautions that changing diets cannot replace efforts to clean up Ghana's air. "So what we need to understand is that this is not a substitute for air quality regulations. So we need to have air quality regulations that will help to curb the air pollution problem in our area." The researchers stress that the study does not mean people should simply eat oranges or sardines and continue breathing polluted air.
A Wider Response to Air Pollution is Needed
For the thousands of people whose workplaces are Accra's busy roads and markets, a wider response to air pollution is urgently needed. The study's findings come as Ghana continues to deal with air pollution from several sources, including vehicle emissions, open burning, household fuels, and industrial activities. For now, street vendors and others who work outdoors will have to continue to rely on a combination of personal protection and better nutrition to mitigate the effects of air pollution.
Source: Joy Online
