Nutrition as a modifiable factor in the onset and progression of pulmonary function impairment in COPD: a systematic review

CONTEXT: Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation. An increasing amount of evidence suggests an effect of dietary quality on the risk of COPD in the general population and pulmonary function decline in patients with COPD.

OBJECTIVE: The association of dietary intake and nutrient status with COPD risk and onset, as well as pulmonary function decline (change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, or the ratio of the former to the latter) in patients with COPD was investigated in this systematic review.

DATA SOURCES: The PubMed database was searched by combining terms of pulmonary function or COPD with diet, nutrient status, or nutritional supplementation.

DATA EXTRACTION: Original studies and systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. Articles obtained were independently screened for relevance on the bases of title and abstract by 2 researchers. Eventually, 89 articles were included in the analysis.

RESULTS: The unhealthy Western-style diet is associated with an increased risk of COPD and an accelerated decline of pulmonary function. Intake of fruit, vegetables, dietary fibers, vitamins C and E, polyphenols, and β-carotene were individually associated with lower COPD risk, whereas consumption of processed meat was associated with higher COPD risk. Data on the effect of dietary quality on pulmonary function decline in patients with COPD are limited and inconsistent. Strong evidence for beneficial effects on pulmonary function decline was found only for vitamin D supplementation.

CONCLUSION: Considering the increasing burden of COPD, more attention should be given to dietary quality as a modifiable factor in disease development and progression in patients with COPD.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021240183.