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Health

The wild idea that we all get nutrients from the air that we breathe

Growing evidence suggests a source of nutrition might be right under our noses. But how important are such aeronutrients – and can we harness them to better treat deficiencies?

By Graham Lawton

13 May 2025

A person in a foggy rainforest inhaling aeronutrients

Could aeronutrients explain the benefits of being in nature?

Daniel Ernst/Stills

Around 10 years ago, British tabloid newspaper The Sun ran a memorable article about , able to survive on a little water and even less food. Instead, they said, they derived sustenance from air, sunlight and the energy of the universe. The story was picked up by and propelled the couple and their unusual lifestyle to fame – and no small amount of ridicule.

Needless to say, humans – even self-described breatharians – can’t live primarily on air and…

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