If patches and gums aren't keeping those nicotine cravings in check, try loading up on fruits and vegetables.
These are the claims of a new study published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research. Previous studies had suggested that people who quit smoking for less than six months ate more fruits and vegetables than people who still smoked. Researchers used these findings to see if eating more fruits and vegetables helped smokers to kick the habit.
The study looked at 1,000 adult smokers aged 25 and older and surveyed them on their smoking and eating habits. Then the smokers were called 14 months later to find out how much they had smoked in the past month. They found that smokers who ate the most fruits and vegetables were three times more likely to be tobacco-free for a full 30 days than smokers who ate the least.
According to the press release, this might have to do with the high fiber diet which makes people feel fuller:
These are the claims of a new study published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research. Previous studies had suggested that people who quit smoking for less than six months ate more fruits and vegetables than people who still smoked. Researchers used these findings to see if eating more fruits and vegetables helped smokers to kick the habit.
The study looked at 1,000 adult smokers aged 25 and older and surveyed them on their smoking and eating habits. Then the smokers were called 14 months later to find out how much they had smoked in the past month. They found that smokers who ate the most fruits and vegetables were three times more likely to be tobacco-free for a full 30 days than smokers who ate the least.
According to the press release, this might have to do with the high fiber diet which makes people feel fuller:
"It is also possible that fruits and vegetables give people more of a feeling of satiety or fullness so that they feel less of a need to smoke, since smokers sometimes confuse hunger with an urge to smoke," explained Haibach.
Another theory is that unlike meats, caffeinated beverages and alcohol which enhance the taste of tobacco, fruits and vegetables may actually worsen the taste of cigarettes. For now the findings are just a theory, but it's still worth a shot.
