To allow you to feel your best, you need to keep your lung healthy. However, certain prevalent factors, such as environmental toxins and cigarettes or even eating an inflammatory diet, can take a toll on your organs.
What’s more? Diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and asthma can significantly hamper your quality of life. But research suggests that lifestyle modifications, such as consuming a nutrition-rich diet, can guard your lungs and lower the symptoms associated with the disease and the plausible lung damage. What’s more? There are certain foods and nutrients, which have abundant long-term benefits.
Here, in this article, we will address some foods that can help you better your lung function. So let us get started and address them one by one.
Coffee
Well, great news for all the coffee lovers out there. Your morning cup of coffee might indeed be great for your lungs. Studies have pointed out a connection between healthy lungs and coffee. It is majorly because of the coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Moreover, coffee also has polyphenols in them, which is also an antioxidant and a great anti-inflammatory.
Beets and beet greens
The root and the greens of this vibrantly colored beetroot plant have compounds, which can stimulate better lung function.
Beet greens and beetroot have a high nitrate content. This can be incredibly beneficial for your lungs. Nitrates lower the blood pressure, relax the blood vessels, and optimize the body’s oxygen uptake.
The beetroot supplements also better the lung function and physical performance in people with certain lung conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension or COPD. Furthermore, beet green is rich in potassium, magnesium, carotenoid antioxidants, and Vitamin C – all of these are known to supplement lung health.
‘After I got infected with COVID-19, I added a lot of beets and beet greens in my diet. They certainly helped with the lung function,’ shares Linda, an online reviewer who did the best fish finder under 200 review.
Whole grains
Whole grains are excellent inclusion in your diet for the many health benefits they offer. They are also a good pick for your lungs. Some of the whole grains you can add to your diet include whole-wheat pasta, wheat bread, barley, quinoa, and oats. They are not only a great fiber source but also have fine anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
In addition, they are a rich source of Vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and selenium, which better lung function. Unfortunately, refined grains, such as white rice and white flour, tend to lose their essential nutrients in the milling process.
Apples
Apples have quercetin in them. It is an antioxidant known to lower lung function decline or the lung damage caused by smoking. Studies suggest that people who eat approximately five or more apples in a week are at a reduced risk of developing COPD.
Turmeric
We all are aware of the wonder golden spice and its many fantastic benefits. Well, turmeric is known for its remarkable medicinal and antiseptic properties. It is also a key ingredient in an array of food preparations.
In addition, turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which help better the lung functioning and keep you guarded against lung functions, such as pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or acute lung injury. The presence of curcumin in it only adds to its benefits. It helps relieve the tightness of the chest and inflammation of the airways that is often associated with respiratory disorders like asthma.
‘For me, no meal is complete with turmeric. It is an excellent anti-inflammatory and does help me keep all inflammatory diseases at bay,’ comments June, an online reviewer who did the no tank toilet review.
Water
To maintain optimal lung health, you need to drink plenty of water. Lungs need water to clear the inflammatory and mucous build-up. Further, water also ensures that the airways are clean.
See, the vitality of drinking fluids can simply be not stressed enough to maintain lung health. Lungs are eighty percent composed of water. So, even mild dehydration can have a significant impact on lung health.
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper has capsaicin in it, which guards the mucus membranes and stimulates the lower and upper respiratory tract secretions. It is ideal to consume a tea with cayenne pepper. It can be an excellent beta-carotene source, which has phenomenal health benefits and helps lower asthma symptoms.
‘My day does not start with cayenne pepper tea, and it is one of the best home remedies that help me keep my asthma in check,’ shares Daisy, an online reviewer who did the Wahl 9818 vs 9864 review.
Broccoli
Broccoli has a compound known as Sulforaphane in abundance in it. Sulforaphane is known for its disease-deterring benefits. This compound releases protective enzymes, which can guard your lungs against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and a number of other respiratory illnesses. In addition to broccoli, you can also add other cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale, to your diet. All of them contain Sulforaphane.
Walnuts
Walnuts are a phenomenal magnesium source. It is a vital electrolyte, which can help support the lung muscles. More so, walnuts have Omega-3 fatty acids in them, a great anti-inflammatory that helps lower lung inflammation and better your body’s breathing ability. The compounds derived from Omega-3 fatty acids are also vital to help the body fight lung infections.
‘Nuts, especially walnuts, are my go-to travel snack. I always have them with me in my car. They are the best healthy fat sources. Walnuts are delicious and are great for keeping my lungs healthy, especially during this Corona time,’ comments Julie, a content writer at TangoLearn.
Ginger
Ginger is prevalently used in our beverages and foods. It is renowned for its multiple health benefits. More so, ginger also has incredible anti-inflammatory qualities. In addition, studies suggest ginger can result in bronchodilation in people with asthmatic conditions. Further, ginger also breaks the thick mucus layer and helps in mucus expulsion.
Green tea
Green tea has phenomenal anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is also known to improve heart function and reduces the risk of developing COPD. Consuming more than two cups of green tea can be highly beneficial. Generally speaking, the foods known to better lung function are renowned for their anti-inflammatory or antioxidant quality.
So, these are the eleven best foods that can help strengthen lung function. Have more such food suggestions? Do let us know in the comment box below.
