Taking care of your lungs has become more important than ever. A diet high in inflammatory foods, cigarette smoke and environmental toxins can damage lungs.
Optimal lung health is especially important for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis to name a few. Introducing changes in diet and lifestyle can help protect your lungs and reduce lung damage. Try putting the following foods in your diet to help improve your lung health:
Apples
Regularly eating apples can help in promoting lung function. Apples are full of antioxidants, flavonoids and Vitamin C.
Turmeric
Curcumin in turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which can be beneficial for supporting lung function.
Herbal teas
Ginger, turmeric, lemon, honey or cinnamon infused teas can be beneficial for improving lung function. Also, green tea contains catechins which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial for lung function.
Red cabbage
Anthocyanins are plant pigments which give red cabbage its deep colour. Studies have found that anthocyanins can reduce decline in lung function.
Olive oil
Olive oil contains antioxidants, polyphenols and Vitamin E, all of which can be helpful in protecting against respiratory conditions like asthma.
Brazil nuts
These nuts are a rich source of selenium, a nutrient which has been found to reduce lung cancer risk and improve respiratory and immune function in people with asthma.
Lentils
Magnesium, iron, copper and potassium are nutrients in lentils that can help in strengthening lung function.
Blueberries
They provide a number of health benefits including protecting lung infection. Like red cabbage, they also contain anthocyanins like peonidin, cyanidin, malvidin, delphinidin and petunidin. They are powerful pigments that can protect lungs from oxidative damage.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain lycopene, a carotenoid antioxidant which has been shown to improve lung health. Studies have also shown that tomatoes can reduce airway inflammation in asthmatics and improve lung function in people with COPD.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens are extremely beneficial for your lungs. So breathe easy and eat a balanced healthy diet to protect your lung health!