A recent study conducted by researchers in India and the USA, used geocoded data from the National Family Health Survey - 4 (NFHS-4) and the 68th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) to assess the mitigatory impacts, if any, of micronutrients and fruits and vegetable consumption on Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) and anemia caused by PM2.5 pollution.

Data collected from the two surveys using geocoded data about the status of ARIs and anemia in children along with the amount of micronutrients consumed by the children and fruits and vegetables eaten by them, was used to retrospectively analyse the protective effect of this diet.

Individual level confounders like sex of the child, mother's education level etc. and household level confounders like socioeconomic status, type of cooking fuel, household size etc. were adjusted for.

The data showed that for children between 6 - 59 months, 208,782 had valid ARI information while 197,289 had valid Hb estimation status. Out of these, the prevalence of ARIs and anemia was 2.8% and 57.6%, respectively.

The results showed that consumption of selenium, vitamin D and vitamin C showed a significant reduction in the effect of PM2.5 on ARI prevalence whereas all six micronutrients (Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin B12) showed a protective effect for anemia caused by increased PM2.5 exposure.

Meanwhile, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables also showed a potential protective effect as the primary source of these nutrients in the diet.

Thus, the researchers proposed that the study shows the health benefits of a healthy diet and can influence policy makers to focus on promoting a healthy, balanced diet rich in diverse fruits and vegetables.