Breathing polluted air can contribute to weight gain: Study

We all must be aware of the harmful effects of air pollution that can cause a series of health conditions, including all sorts of breathing issues. Now, a new study suggests that breathing polluted air can contribute to weight gain. Don’t believe? Read on.

The research was conducted by a pool of experts from the University of Colorado at Boulder. It highlighted how exposure to pollutants present in the air can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes and other disorders that can directly increase a person’s weight. During the observation of the study, it has also been found that people of all age groups can be affected by the same condition.

The research included over 100 young adults from Southern California as participants who were analysed thoroughly. Each participant was exposed to pollutants based on their address and was later tested to see how emissions had affected their body.

According to the researchers, ozone’s contribution can lead to serious health conditions as pollutants tend to affect gut health. This can bring changes in the functioning of the gut which in return can slow down other bodily functions, including insulin production of the body and break down of fats. In the development of such conditions, it is easy to gain an unhealthy amount of weight. Diabetics and obese are more prone to this situation.

“We know from the previous research that air pollutants can have a whole host of adverse health effects. The takeaway from this paper is that some of those effects might be due to changes in the gut.” Explained Tanya Alderete, a researcher from the University of Colorado.

“Ozone is likely changing the environment of your gut to favour some bacteria over others, and that can have serious health consequences. A lot of work still needs to be done, but this adds to a growing body of literature showing that humans exposed to air pollution can have lasting, harmful effects on human health,” said Alderete.

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