Delhi air pollution: While various studies have warned about the growing negative health effects of air pollution, experts are also warning of an underlying impact of this thick smog: the important minerals we normally take while breathing.

We usually associate nutrition with what we eat, but new evidence reveals that the air we breathe also has an impact.

A recent research article in Advances in Nutrition introduced the concept of "aeronutrients," which are nutrients absorbed through the lungs and nasal passages. These contain vital elements such as iodine, zinc, manganese, and several vitamins.

Breathing is a continuous process; the average person inhales about 9,000 litres of air every day and over 438 million litres over their lifetime. This continual exposure enables our bodies to absorb small amounts of beneficial substances found in the air.

The authors of the study, Stephen R. Robinson, Professor in Psychology and research, RMIT University, and Flávia Fayet-Moore, Adjunct Lecturer, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, wrote in The Conversation that studies from coastal regions demonstrate that children living near seaweed-rich areas, where iodine levels in the air are higher, have fewer iodine deficiencies than those living inland.

This shows how breathing in nutrient-rich air can help supplement dietary consumption.

How do aeronutrients work?

The digestive system uses enzymes and acids to break down nutrients, whereas the respiratory system absorbs bigger molecules directly into the blood.

This rapid absorption explains why inhaled compounds, such as particular drugs or dangerous pollutants, can have such an immediate effect on the body, according to the study.

Similarly, helpful chemicals in the air, such as aerosolised vitamins or minerals, can enter our systems easily.

The respiratory tract contains hair-like structures known as cilia, which serve as gateways for these nutrients.

According to a 70-year-old study, aerosolised vitamin B12 is a good treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency. This finding is especially advantageous to people who are at a higher risk of deficiency, such as vegans, older adults, diabetics, and heavy drinkers.

Similarly, manganese and zinc taken through the olfactory system support vital bodily activities, but excessive exposure to these minerals can be harmful.

In cities like Delhi, where pollution levels frequently exceed dangerous levels, the makeup of inhaled air changes considerably.

Instead of aeronutrients, the air contains hazardous particulate particles, chemicals, and heavy metals. These pollutants not only deplete useful substances, but they can also harm the respiratory system, impairing its ability to absorb any nutrients that may be present.