Researchers studied nearly 200,000 people over 12 years to see if eating healthy could protect against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a serious lung disease that gets worse over time. They looked at three popular healthy eating patterns: DASH, Mediterranean, and MIND diets. People who followed these diets most closely had significantly lower chances of developing IPF. The study suggests that eating well might help keep your lungs healthier as you age, possibly by slowing down how quickly your body ages at a cellular level.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating healthy foods following three different diet patterns could reduce the chance of developing a serious lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
  • Who participated: 196,473 people from the UK Biobank (a large health study database) who were tracked for an average of 12.4 years. Participants were diverse in age and background, with detailed food records collected multiple times
  • Key finding: People who most closely followed healthy eating patterns had 25-47% lower risk of developing IPF. The Mediterranean diet showed the strongest protection, reducing risk by about 47%. These benefits appeared to work partly by keeping people’s bodies from aging too quickly at a cellular level
  • What it means for you: Eating a healthy diet may help protect your lungs as you age. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that diet causes the protection. If you’re concerned about lung health, talk to your doctor about healthy eating patterns and other lifestyle changes

The Research Details

This was a cohort study, which means researchers followed a large group of people over time and tracked what happened to them. The study included 196,473 people from the UK Biobank who provided detailed information about what they ate through multiple 24-hour food recall questionnaires (where people describe everything they ate in a day). Researchers then calculated how well each person followed three well-known healthy eating patterns: the DASH diet (designed to lower blood pressure), the Mediterranean diet (based on foods eaten in Mediterranean countries), and the MIND diet (designed to support brain health). Over 12.4 years on average, researchers tracked who developed IPF and compared their eating habits to those who stayed healthy.

This research approach is important because it follows real people in their everyday lives rather than testing them in a lab. By tracking actual food intake and health outcomes over more than a decade, researchers can see real-world connections between diet and disease. The study’s large size and long follow-up period make the findings more reliable than smaller, shorter studies

This study has several strengths: it included nearly 200,000 people (a very large sample), tracked them for over 12 years, and used detailed food records rather than just asking people to remember what they ate. The researchers also adjusted their analysis for many other factors that could affect lung health, like smoking and exercise. However, the study can only show that diet and IPF are connected—it cannot prove that diet directly causes the protection. Additionally, most participants were from the UK, so results may not apply equally to all populations

What the Results Show

During the study period, 516 people developed IPF out of the 196,473 participants. People who followed the DASH diet most closely had a 25% lower risk of developing IPF compared to those who followed it least closely. Those who followed the Mediterranean diet most closely had a 47% lower risk—the strongest protection of the three diets. People who followed the MIND diet most closely had a 34% lower risk. All three diet patterns showed statistically significant protection, meaning these results were unlikely to be due to chance.

The researchers also discovered something interesting about how these diets might work: the protection appeared to be partly explained by the fact that people eating healthier diets had slower cellular aging. This suggests that healthy eating may protect lungs by keeping your body younger at a biological level, not just at your actual age. However, the diets provided protection through other mechanisms too, not just by slowing aging

The study found that the benefits of healthy eating were consistent across different groups of people, though the protection was strongest in certain age groups. The Mediterranean diet consistently showed the most powerful protective effect across all analyses. The researchers also found that the connection between diet and IPF risk remained strong even after accounting for other important health factors like body weight, physical activity, and smoking status

Previous research has shown that healthy eating patterns protect against many chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. However, very little research had examined whether these diets could protect against IPF specifically. This study is one of the first large-scale investigations of this connection. The findings align with what we know about how healthy diets reduce inflammation and support overall body function, which could benefit lung health. The discovery that cellular aging may be involved adds a new understanding of how diet protects against age-related diseases

The study can show that healthy eating and lower IPF risk are connected, but cannot prove that eating healthy directly prevents IPF. People who eat healthy diets often have other healthy habits (more exercise, less smoking, better healthcare access) that could also protect their lungs. Most participants were from the UK and of European descent, so results may not apply equally to other populations. Additionally, IPF is relatively rare, so even with a huge study, only 516 cases occurred—making some analyses less precise. Finally, people’s diets can change over time, but the study only measured diet at certain points

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, eating according to healthy dietary patterns (particularly the Mediterranean diet) appears to be beneficial for lung health and may reduce IPF risk. The evidence is moderate—this study shows a strong connection, but more research is needed to prove cause-and-effect. If you’re interested in protecting your lung health, consider adopting one of these eating patterns: Mediterranean (emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and olive oil), DASH (similar but with more focus on low sodium), or MIND (combining Mediterranean and DASH principles with emphasis on brain-healthy foods). These diets have benefits beyond lung health, including heart and brain protection

This research is most relevant to middle-aged and older adults, as IPF typically develops later in life. People with a family history of lung disease, former smokers, or those concerned about aging-related diseases should pay particular attention. However, everyone can benefit from healthy eating patterns. People already diagnosed with IPF should discuss dietary changes with their doctor, as this study is about prevention, not treatment. If you have existing lung disease or other health conditions, consult your healthcare provider before making major dietary changes

The protective effects of healthy eating likely develop over years, not weeks or months. In this study, people were followed for an average of 12.4 years. You may notice other benefits of healthy eating (more energy, better digestion, improved mood) within weeks to months, but lung protection likely requires sustained healthy eating over years. Think of it as a long-term investment in your health rather than a quick fix

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily adherence to one Mediterranean diet component (such as servings of vegetables, fish meals, or olive oil use). Set a weekly goal like ’eat fish 2+ times’ or ’eat 5+ vegetable servings daily’ and log completion. Monitor this for 8-12 weeks to establish the habit
  • Choose one healthy eating pattern (Mediterranean is easiest to start with) and gradually increase adherence. Start by adding one element: increase vegetable servings, switch to whole grains, add fish once weekly, or use olive oil instead of other oils. Use the app to set reminders for grocery shopping focused on these foods and to log meals that align with your chosen pattern
  • Track diet quality weekly using a simple scoring system (0-10 rating of how well you followed your chosen pattern each day). Monitor energy levels, digestion, and how you feel monthly. If using a health tracker, note any changes in respiratory function or exercise tolerance. Review progress every 3 months and adjust your approach if needed. Remember that benefits develop over months and years, not days

This research shows an association between healthy eating and lower IPF risk but does not prove that diet prevents IPF. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a serious medical condition that requires professional diagnosis and treatment. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor. If you have concerns about lung health, symptoms like persistent cough or shortness of breath, or a family history of lung disease, consult a healthcare provider. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications, discuss your plans with your doctor or a registered dietitian. This study was conducted in a UK population and may not apply equally to all groups