Understanding Inhaled Nutrition: Is There Nutrition in Air?

January 13, 2026 •

3 min read

Every day, the average person breathes about 9,000 litres of air. While traditionally thought of only for oxygen, recent scientific research explores a compelling new frontier, asking: Is there nutrition in air? The surprising answer reveals that trace amounts of certain micronutrients, now termed 'aeronutrients,' can be absorbed directly through our respiratory system, supplementing our dietary intake.

Quick Summary

Breathing delivers more than oxygen; we can also absorb trace minerals and vitamins directly from the air, a concept known as aeronutrition. The respiratory tract offers an efficient pathway for these molecules, potentially supplementing a standard diet, especially in nutrient-dense environments.

Key Points

Aeronutrients Exist: Research suggests humans can absorb trace nutrients like iodine, zinc, and vitamins directly from the air.
Respiratory Absorption: Nutrients are absorbed via the nasal passages, lungs, and olfactory epithelium, bypassing the liver's first-pass metabolism.
Cumulative Effect: Although concentrations are minuscule per breath, the constant nature of breathing means the cumulative intake can be significant over a lifetime.
Environment Matters: The concentration and types of aeronutrients vary by location; natural, rural areas may offer more beneficial particles than urban or highly filtered environments.
Supplement, Not Replace: Aeronutrients are a supplementary source and do not replace the need for a balanced diet, which provides the vast majority of our required nutrition.
Potential for Innovation: This discovery could influence future nutrition guidelines, urban planning, and even targeted aerosol supplementation for deficiencies.

The Traditional View vs. A New Perspective

For centuries, our understanding of nutrition has centered on the food and drink we consume. We derive macro and micronutrients from a balanced diet, which the digestive system breaks down and absorbs. However, the emerging field of 'aeronutrition' presents a novel perspective, suggesting our respiratory system also plays a subtle, yet significant, role in nutrient uptake.

How Aeronutrients Are Absorbed

Unlike the gut, which uses harsh acids and enzymes to break down food, the respiratory system can absorb larger molecules directly into the bloodstream and even the brain. The pathways for absorption include:

Nasal Cavity and Olfactory Epithelium: Tiny blood vessels and nerve pathways here can absorb trace elements like zinc and manganese directly into the brain.
Lung Alveoli: The massive surface area of the lung's air sacs is highly efficient at transferring substances into the bloodstream.
Oropharynx: Nutrients can also be ingested from the back of the throat, seeding the gut microbiome.

Examples of Identified Aeronutrients

Numerous studies have highlighted specific nutrients that can be absorbed this way, often at low, cumulative concentrations.

Iodine: Studies of schoolchildren living near seaweed-rich coastlines showed higher iodine levels from airborne intake, supplementing their diet.
Manganese: This essential trace mineral is absorbed via the olfactory pathway, a fact highlighted by high manganese levels in welders exposed to industrial fumes.
Vitamin B12: As far back as the 1950s, research demonstrated that aerosolized Vitamin B12 could effectively treat deficiencies.
Other Potential Nutrients: Scientists are investigating a wider range of potential aeronutrients, including choline, vitamin C, calcium, and fatty acids.

Comparison: Gastronutrients vs. Aeronutrients

This table highlights the key differences between the traditional dietary route and the novel inhaled pathway for nutrients.


Feature	Gastronutrients (From Food)	Aeronutrients (From Air)
Source	Solids and liquids consumed through the mouth.	Inhaled via the respiratory system from ambient air.
Absorption Pathway	The gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines).	Nasal passages, lungs, and olfactory pathways.
Molecule Size	Broken down into small component parts during digestion.	Can be absorbed intact, especially larger molecules.
Liver Metabolism	Undergo first-pass metabolism by the liver, which can reduce bioavailability.	Bypass first-pass liver metabolism, potentially leading to higher bioavailability.
Concentration	Consumed in much higher, concentrated doses.	Absorbed in minute, trace amounts over a lifetime.
Role	Provides primary, substantial nutrition and energy for the body.	Offers a supplemental or complementary source of nutrients.

The Impact of Environment on Aeronutrients

An individual's exposure to aeronutrients varies significantly depending on their environment. Natural settings, like coastlines, forests, and rural areas, tend to have a greater abundance of naturally occurring aeronutrients and beneficial aeromicrobes. Urban environments and indoor spaces often have lower concentrations, and air filtration systems on planes or in hospitals remove many of these trace particles. However, air pollution introduces harmful particulates and heavy metals, which can be absorbed through the same respiratory pathways, illustrating the double-edged nature of inhalation.

A Complementary Role, Not a Replacement

It is crucial to emphasize that aeronutrients are seen as a potential supplement, not a replacement, for a healthy diet. The minuscule concentrations received through inhalation are not sufficient to sustain the body's primary nutritional needs. The primary source of energy and major nutrients remains the food we eat. The discovery of aeronutrition primarily opens new avenues for research into public health, urban planning, and personalized nutrition.

Conclusion

The question, "Is there nutrition in air?", moves beyond a simple 'yes' or 'no' into a more nuanced understanding of human physiology and our environment. While food remains the dominant source of sustenance, the concept of aeronutrients reveals a hidden, supplementary nutritional pathway through our respiratory system. This finding, supported by decades of scattered research and now brought into focus, holds potential implications for addressing certain nutrient deficiencies, understanding environmental health, and appreciating the overlooked benefits of fresh air in natural settings. This exciting area of scientific inquiry is just beginning to uncover the full extent of our body's interaction with the atmospheric world around us. For further scientific exploration, see the journal Advances in Nutrition where the term 'aeronutrients' was first proposed by Fayet-Moore and Robinson in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aeronutrients are airborne nutrients, such as trace minerals and some vitamins, that can be absorbed by the human body through the respiratory system, supplementing the nutrition obtained from food.

No, the concentration of aeronutrients is far too low to provide the energy and substantial nutrition required for human survival. The primary sources of energy (carbohydrates, fats, proteins) must come from food.

Yes, oxygen technically meets the scientific definition of a nutrient because it is a chemical substance required by the body to sustain basic functions. We just don't typically refer to it that way because we breathe it rather than eat it.

Aeronutrients are beneficial particles, often naturally occurring, absorbed in small, safe quantities. Air pollution consists of toxic particles and chemicals that are harmful to health, though they may enter the body through similar inhalation pathways.

Evidence includes studies showing higher iodine levels in people near coastal areas with abundant seaweed and historical research demonstrating the effectiveness of aerosolized Vitamin B12 for treating deficiencies.

While breathing deeply is good for general respiratory health, there is no evidence that it significantly increases beneficial aeronutrient absorption. The effect is cumulative over a lifetime of regular breathing.

Future research may explore the potential for targeted aerosolized micronutrients, like Vitamin D, to combat widespread deficiencies, but this concept is still in the early stages of investigation.

Yes, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis to create their own food (glucose). This is a well-established biological process distinct from how humans absorb trace aeronutrients.