Lutein intake and lung function in Dutch adults
What it found
In 4402 Dutch adults aged 45 to 79, lutein intake was not independently linked to lung function overall.
In current smokers, higher lutein intake was linked to a lower FEV1/FVC% ratio.
What they found
Studies in people
Overall lung function
After adjusting for many factors including other carotenoids, lutein intake was not linked to FEV1, FVC or the FEV1/FVC% ratio. The authors say the study does not support an independent link between lutein intake and lung function in adults.
Lowest intake group
People in the lowest quarter for lutein intake had lower FEV1 and FVC than the second quarter, but this difference went away after adjusting for lifestyle factors.
Current smokers
In current smokers, each standard deviation higher lutein intake was linked to a lower FEV1/FVC% ratio, even after adjusting for other carotenoids. The highest quarter of lutein intake was also linked to lower FEV1 in smokers.
Other carotenoids
The link between lutein and FEV1 in smokers was explained by adjusting for other carotenoids, suggesting other carotenoids may play a part.
No link in non-smokers
In never and former smokers, lutein intake was not linked to FEV1, FVC or the FEV1/FVC% ratio.
What the authors conclude
“The present study does not support an independent association between lutein intake and lung function in adults.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say the study does not support an independent association between lutein intake and lung function in adults.
- They suggest future studies should focus on the potential inverse association between high lutein intake and lung function in specific risk groups such as smokers.
- They say a combination of healthy dietary and lifestyle factors might contribute to improved lung function instead of lutein intake alone.
How it was done
Lutein is an antioxidant, and the authors wanted to see whether it might protect the lungs from inflammation and damage. Earlier studies had given inconsistent results and often combined lutein with zeaxanthin or looked at selected groups.
They studied 4402 adults aged 45 to 79 from the Rotterdam Study in the Netherlands. Lutein intake was estimated from a food questionnaire, and lung function was measured with spirometry around the same time.
What it can’t tell you
- This was a cross-sectional study, so it can show a link but cannot prove that lutein intake causes changes in lung function.
- Lutein intake was estimated from a food questionnaire, which can be inaccurate.
- The study measured dietary lutein, not blood levels, so it cannot show how lutein levels in the body relate to lung function.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Erasmus MC University Medical Center, The Netherlands
The paper
- Title
- Association between lutein intake and lung function in adults: the Rotterdam Study
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Melo van Lent D, Leermakers ET, Hofman A, et al (2017). Association between lutein intake and lung function in adults: the Rotterdam Study. The British journal of nutrition. doi:10.1017/S0007114517000319Free full textPubMed 28376947DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error