There are a variety of respiratory issues that can affect your breathing, such as allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and nasal polyps. You can reduce the frequency and severity of breathing difficulties by working with your doctor. You can undergo tests to discover which foods cause allergic reactions.
For more serious respiratory issues, such as lung disease, medication may alleviate the condition or lessen its severity. Additionally, adding certain foods to your diet can help your breathing, such as:
1. Apples
Everyone knows the old saying about apples keeping the doctor away, and that may be true where lung function is concerned. Studies show that eating just five apples per week can slow the degeneration of lung functioning in former cigarette smokers. It can also lower the risks for developing COPD in the future. This fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which means patients can also lower the risks for an asthma attack by regularly eating more of this fruit.
2. Turmeric
This spice is beneficial to health due to the presence of a compound called curcumin. A recent study found that the curcumin helped boost lung function when it was a regular part of the diet. In a second study, only people who were heavy smokers were chosen to participate in the study. The smokers with a higher turmeric intake exhibited more improved lung function than the smokers who were given smaller, occasional doses of the spice. Lung function was improved by 9.2% in subjects with the higher intake.
3. Blueberries
The blueberry is considered a powerhouse of beneficial nutrients since it is packed with so many that our bodies need. In particular, blueberries have a high antioxidant content, which are helpful in staving off cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. If you exhibit allergy signs and symptoms, eating more of this fruit can help reduce the risks of an adverse reaction. This is because the dark skin of blueberries is created by anthocyanins, which are compounds that provide protection from oxidative damage. In one study, subjects who ate a minimum of two servings per week experienced 38% less decline in lung functioning than those who did not consume any servings of the fruit.
4. Beets and beet greens
While beets and beet greens aren’t popular foods, you should add them to your diet if you suffer from lung disease. Although you should still follow NTM treatment guidelines, eating more beets will also give you the nutrients you need for better lung health. Both the beets and their roots are packed with nitrates, which have been proven to relax the blood vessels. As a result, hypertension is alleviated and more oxygen-rich blood is pushed to your lungs. Other lung-healthy nutrients found in beets include carotenoid antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.
5. Pumpkin
Even though this is a food reserved for fall holidays, you should try to eat more of it all year round. The primary compounds in this food are beta carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein. These compounds are effective as both anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants. Research has found that the high amount of these compounds help to boost lung functioning in general. Smokers especially benefited from eating more pumpkin because the compounds in the fruit have a cumulative effect on lung function. Since research has found that smokers typically exhibit 25% fewer antioxidants in their blood than nonsmokers, increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich foods can help compensate for that deficiency.