A study of tens of thousands of Swedish men over 13 years has shown smokers and former smokers who eat more fruits and vegetables will be at less risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The research, undertaken by Swedish and Polish scientists, found current smokers with high fruit and vegetable consumption levels (at least 5.3 servings per day) were 40% less likely to develop COPD than those with low intake rates (less than two servings per day).

The study 'Fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of COPD: a prospective cohort study of men' found that for former smokers, the risk differential between high- and low-produce eaters was 34%. 

For never-smokers there was no clear correlation, apart from the fact they were far less likely to develop COPD than smokers and former smokers. 

Out of the 44,335 men who took part in the study, aged between 45 and 79, there were 1,918 new cases of COPD. 

"Findings from this first prospective study on total fruit and vegetable consumption and COPD incidence are in line with a 3-year intervention in patients with COPD showing improved lung function after the increased consumption and also with cross-sectional studies of lung functions," the study authors said in the report.

"Men with higher total fruit and vegetable consumption were more likely to have completed a university education and were less likely to be current smokers," it added.

"Even if smokers cannot give up smoking, they should consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible, and people who quit smoking should also increase their consumption," first author of the paper Joanna Kaluza told the New York Times, adding the beneficial effects of eating fruits and vegetables were likely to apply to women as well.

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