With the increased amount of pollution, our lung health is more important than ever. This is doubly so in the winter time when we tend to stay indoors and are exposed to germs more often. Thankfully, we can take some precautions to keep our lungs healthy, even in the winter, by prioritizing eating certain foods.
Apples
As the age old saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, this isn’t just your grandmother’s folk wisdom; there is a lot of research that has been done into the health benefits of apples. One study has found that apple juice can actually help prevent wheezing in children. Another study has shown that women who eat apples during pregnancy are less likely to give birth to children with asthma. One of the reasons for apples health inducing abilities is that they are filled with phenolic acids and flavonoids that reduce inflammation in your air passages – a common cause for both asthma and wheezing.
Olive oil
Olive oil is filled with polyunsaturated fats which can help with lung health. It does this primarily by fighting some of the symptoms of air pollution such as increased blood pressure, blocked blood vessels, inflammation, and high blood pressure. Overall, olive oil increases the effectiveness of blood flow which is crucial for delivering oxygen to the lungs and other parts of the body. It also helps to protect your heart health which is another factor in keeping your blood pumping well.
Coffee
Many people are already used to drinking a hot cup of coffee in the morning – mostly due to the fact that caffeine can stimulate your brain and give you a sense of feeling awake and energy too. Coffee can also help treat your asthma symptoms by acting as a bronchodilator agent. It will open up your tightened airways and reduce respiratory muscle fatigue. It is not anywhere close to the effectiveness of an inhaler, but it does help.
Salmon
Salmon like most fish has omega-3 fatty acids and a plethora of antioxidants. They work together to reduce inflammation in the lungs and fight bacteria that can cause irritation. Inflammation is one of the primary causes of asthma attacks and other respiratory stir ups.
Green tea
The antioxidants in green tea help to decrease inflammation and promote increased healing. One of the antioxidants is quercetin which functions as a natural antihistamine which slows and reduces the onset of inflammation. It also helps to resist allergens that can cause irritation.
