Antioxidant Rich Foods for Better Respiratory Health

There’s nothing worse than trying to get through your day and not being able to breathe. If you can’t breathe, your productivity will take a steep decline. You can improve your respiratory health by adding antioxidants to your diet. Certain antioxidant rich foods help to improve your respiratory health by reducing inflammation in your lungs and promoting proper circulation. Keep reading to find out the best antioxidant rich foods to include in your diet in order to promote good respiratory health.

Green tea

A cup of green tea is packed to the brim with powerful antioxidants that are able to soothe the body and improve the functionality of your respiratory system. They lower inflammation in the lungs by slowing down the speed at which histamine and similar inflammatory chemicals are released. It is a great solution if you are suffering from allergies or experiencing allergy type symptoms. Additionally, the hot water component of the green tea can help to flush out mucous membranes and remove harmful irritants that can further inhibit your breathing.

Bell Peppers

Vitamin C is one of the best antioxidants for maintaining your health because they fight harmful free radicals that can damage your cells. It has also been shown to be great for protecting your lungs against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Many people believe fruits are the best sources of vitamin C, but bell peppers actually have three times the amount of an orange, making them a top tier vitamin C source.

Oranges

When you’re talking about vitamin C, you can’t avoid talking about oranges. While they are not the best source of vitamin C, they are one of the most versatile sources that the majority of people are familiar with. It is easy to ingest oranges every day in the form of fresh squeezed orange juice. You can add it to just about every smoothie because it’s so naturally sweet and you won’t go wrong.

Berries

Blueberries and acai berries are some of the best choices for ingesting a high number of antioxidants as they are extremely nutrient dense. Much like oranges, they are an extremely versatile food choice. You can include them in smoothies, add them to yogurts, etc. You can even include them on a fun spring or summer salad.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a wonderful vegetable for improving your respiratory health. Not only does it have a relatively high vitamin C content, but it also contains folates, carotenoids, and phytochemicals. It also contains a compound known as L-sulforaphane, which actually activates anti-inflammatory genes. Furthermore, consuming broccoli can help to prevent the development of lung cancer.

Cayenne pepper

The primary active ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin; it is what makes pepper spicy. Capsaicin works to protect the lung’s mucous membranes, via the stimulation of healthy secretions. It protects membranes in both the upper and lower respiratory tract. The brilliant thing about cayenne pepper is that you can gain these benefits simply by spicing up your food. It turns out a nice, spicy chili is perfect for improving your breathing., so make it hot and dig in.

Ginger

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps to detoxify the lungs by eliminating pollutants. Eat ginger to alleviate congestion in your lungs. It will eliminate the inflammation which makes it difficult to breathe and improve the circulation of blood to your lungs. Blood circulation is crucial for improving your respiratory system as blood carries oxygen to the lungs and throughout the body.

Garlic

Garlic is composed of flavonoids which stimulate glutathione production. Glutathione is a compound which improves the efficiency at which the body is able to eliminate toxins and carcinogens. It is easy to include garlic in your diet as it works wonders with savory foods. Try to apply it to your food after its cooked to maximize its effectiveness.

Turmeric

Turmeric is another great food that has natural anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its primary active ingredient, curcumin. The curcumin helps to alleviate inflammation in the airways which makes the chest less tight. It’s especially great for asthmatics or people suffering from chronic respiratory illnesses. Try making some hot turmeric tea or a warm glass of turmeric milk to maximize its benefits.