Lung disease is one of the most common ailments that affect millions of people worldwide. Whether you have a chronic lung disease such as bronchitis, or a simple respiratory allergy, these lung conditions can be uncomfortable and can truly impact your quality of life. That is why keeping your lungs healthy is very important to feeling your best. A healthy, well-balanced diet goes a long way to keep your body strong, including your lungs. So how to maintain healthy lungs? Based on research, lifestyle modifications, including following a nutrient-rich diet, can help protect your lungs and even lessen lung damage and symptoms of the disease.
Here are some examples of foods to enjoy and avoid or limit for lung health.
Healthy Fats
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats do not have cholesterol and they typically come from plant sources. These healthy fats can help manage blood pressure, decrease inflammation, and improve your overall health. You should start incorporating eggs, nuts, olive oil, and avocado into your diet.
Fresh Produce
We all know how nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables are. These contain minerals, vitamins, and fiber that help keep your body healthy and in shape. Berries, grapes, pineapples, broccoli, tomatoes, and peas are the best ones for your lung health. Apples, beets, pumpkins, and other leafy greens have also been shown to have a positive impact on lung health. So you better include them on your grocery list!
Potassium
Potassium can help lessen water retention, manage blood pressure, and improve digestion, so it is essential to have a healthy level of it to maintain good lung function. The most common source of potassium is bananas, but potassium can also be found in other produce items such as beets, tomatoes, and leafy greens.
Complex Carbs
These carbohydrates are high in fiber, meaning, they can help regulate the digestive system and blood sugar levels. Try to limit your intake of simple carbs like table sugar, candies, and pastries, and opt for complex carbs such as whole-grain bread, pasta, and fresh produce.
Proteins
If you want to keep your body strong so it can produce keep your immune system healthy, you might want to eat a good source of protein at least twice per day. This can help strengthen your respiratory cells and make you stronger. Include lean meats, eggs, and beans into your diet.
Now, these foods are the ones you should avoid or limit so you won’t compromise your lung health or overall health in general.
Processed Meats
Research shows a connection between processed, or cured, meats and worse lung function. Studies suggest that the nitrites used in the processing and preserving cured meats may cause inflammation and stress to the lungs. The foods that we mostly enjoy such as bacon, sausage, deli meat, and ham are all examples of processed meats.
Sugary Drinks
Take good care of your lungs by avoiding or limiting your consumption of sweetened soft drinks. Research found people who drank more than five sweetened soft drinks a week were more likely to have ongoing bronchitis, and kids were more likely to have asthma. There is no clear information about this yet, but the pattern stood out. Sugary drinks are not good for the overall health, anyway, so you better limit your consumption of them.
Too Much Salt
A little salt adds flavor to your food, but a lot can cause complications. Based on studies, people who eat a lot of salt are more likely to have long-term bronchitis. Also, a high-sodium diet can worsen asthma symptoms. So be sure to go light on the salt.
Too Much Alcohol
You probably know that heavy drinking is bad for your liver and for your lungs. Sulfites in alcohol can worsen asthma symptoms, and ethanol affects your lung cells. If you are not a drinker, then don’t start drinking, but if you do, keep it moderate.
Fried Foods
Most people love fried foods, well, who can resist those greasy goodies? But it is time that we limit our intake of these oily foods. Fried foods can cause bloating and discomfort by pushing on the diaphragm, making it difficult and uncomfortable to breathe. So eating fried food excessively over time can cause weight gain, which increases pressure on the lungs. Try baked foods instead.
Incorporate these best vitamins for weak lungs. Consumption of essential vitamins can improve the condition of your lungs, which will ensure that they function properly.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of the vital vitamins to strengthen the lungs. It also boosts your immunity, by helping in the regeneration of cells in your body.
Vitamin C
An adequate intake of vitamin C daily improves your immunity.
Vitamin D
Aside from protecting you against respiratory infections, Vitamin D can also help to lessen the risks of COPD flare-ups.
Vitamin E
This vitamin is a potent antioxidant. It helps a person to deal with a chronic lung condition.
Tiger Milk Mushroom
The Tiger Milk Mushroom or Lignosus Rhinocerus is a sought-after fungus for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. This mushroom is proven to be a beneficial health remedy to significantly relieve respiratory symptoms like sore throat, strep throat, sinusitis, chronic cough, asthma cough, cold, and it can even be an asthma attack remedy. The Tiger Milk Mushroom stimulates the human immune cells production and triggers an immune response to fight infections. Lignosus Organic Tiger Milk Mushroom is a 100% organic lung supplement that can help to:
- Support Lungs, Sinus & Bronchial Health
- Relieve Cough & Phlegm
- Cleanse & Detox Lungs
- Improve Breathing
- Defense Against Colds & Respiratory Infection
- Strengthen Respiratory Immunity
- Open Airways
- Relieve Asthma Symptoms
- Relieve Nasal Congestion
- Improve Respiratory Allergies
- Healthy Mucus Production
- Relieve Symptoms of Sore Throat and Strep Throat
Eating a diet high in nutritious foods is a smart way to support and protect lung health. Try incorporating the healthy foods listed above to help support your lungs.