The research: A team of researchers at Northwestern University analyzed the amounts of each form of vitamin E in the blood of 4,526 adults over a period of 20 years. High levels of gamma-tocopherol were linked to a 10 to 17% reduction in lung function, meaning these adults weren’t able to take in as much air and had more trouble getting air out. The bottom line: If you get the right form of vitamin E, your lungs will thank you for it—getting plenty of alpha-tocopherol works in the reverse direction, taking lung capacity from good to above-average. Though sunflower oil has gotten mixed reviews for its high omega-6 content (which can cause inflammation if you don’t balance it with omega-3s), the research suggests that when it comes to the health of your lungs, you can’t go wrong with alpha-tocopherol-rich olive oil. More from Prevention: The Effective Way Olive Oil Can Help You Lose Weight
