A study of more than 179,000 adults found that higher vitamin K1 intake from leafy greens was associated with better lung function and a 16% lower risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Eating more leafy green vegetables may help protect lung health and lower the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a large study that followed more than 179,000 adults for over a decade.
The research, published April 21, 2026, in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that participants with the highest intake of vitamin K1 had a 16% lower risk of developing COPD compared with those who consumed the least. Vitamin K1 is found primarily in leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, turnip greens, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
Researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia analyzed data from 179,062 participants in the UK Biobank over 10.5 years. They found that higher vitamin K1 intake was associated not only with lower COPD risk but also with better lung capacity and airflow, two key measures of respiratory function.
COPD is a serious chronic lung disease that makes breathing progressively more difficult. The condition affected 454.6 million people worldwide in 2019 and caused 4 million deaths, according to the study summary. Chronic respiratory diseases are the third leading cause of death globally, and COPD and asthma currently have no cures, making prevention an important public health priority.
The study identified a specific biological pathway that may explain the protective effect. Associate Professor Marc Sim said vitamin K helps activate a protein that protects elastic fibers in the lungs. Those fibers allow lung tissue to expand and contract during breathing.
“When these fibers break down, breathing becomes harder over time,” Sim said. “This nutrient may help keep lung tissue flexible and prevent damage.”
Researchers found the benefit was specific to vitamin K1. Vitamin K2, which is found in fermented foods, eggs, meat and dairy, was not linked to a lower COPD risk.
The researchers said one possible explanation is that the foods commonly associated with vitamin K2, including processed and red meats, may offset or obscure potential benefits. By contrast, vitamin K1-rich greens also contain fiber and antioxidants, which may work together to support lung health.
The findings did not show an association between vitamin K intake and asthma. Researchers said that may mean vitamin K1 is more closely connected to preventing long-term structural lung damage than allergic airway conditions.
ECU researcher Chengfeng Li said the amount of leafy greens needed to see measurable benefit was achievable. One additional daily serving, about 1.5 to 2 cups of kale, spinach or broccoli, was enough to be associated with improved lung outcomes.
The protective effect appeared strongest among smokers and people working in high-risk occupations where they may be exposed to respiratory irritants. However, researchers emphasized that eating leafy greens cannot replace stopping smoking.
“The biggest thing you can do for your lungs is to quit smoking and reduce your exposure to environmental pollution,” Li said. “But a healthy diet may still play a supporting role by counteracting some of the damage caused by these harmful factors.”
Smoking remains the most important modifiable risk factor for COPD. Air pollution and occupational exposures also contribute to chronic lung damage, and the global burden of COPD has grown as those risks persist.
The study adds to earlier research linking leafy greens and vitamin K to broader health benefits. Previous studies have associated leafy green intake with slower cognitive decline and better bone density, partly because vitamin K is involved in calcium regulation.
Because vitamin K1 is fat-soluble, researchers and nutrition experts recommend eating leafy greens with healthy fats such as olive oil or avocado to improve absorption.
For people seeking practical dietary changes, the findings point to simple additions: spinach in a smoothie, kale in soup, broccoli with dinner or roasted greens as a side dish.
The study does not suggest that leafy greens alone can prevent COPD, but it indicates that higher vitamin K1 intake may play a meaningful supporting role in long-term lung health, especially for people at elevated risk.
Source: Natural News
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