Using Food to Improve Your Lung Health
By Brandi Goodman
Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November encourages you to learn about prevention methods. Your lung health in general can be improved with the help of food. Certain options are going to be better for your lungs while others can create worsening conditions.
Berries
Berries make an easy snack. They are beneficial to the lungs because of the many antioxidants they provide. Antioxidants work to fight oxidation. This normal process gets interrupted by outside factors, such as stress and cigarette smoke. Free radicals then develop and wreak havoc on the lungs and other organs. Eating berries regularly, particularly blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, and strawberries, will help to prevent this.
Apples
Apples are an excellent source of Vitamin C. This vitamin acts as an antioxidant to keep the immune system working well and the body safe. Enjoy apples with the skin still intact for the most nutrients. Pears provide similar results.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a vegetable that contains lots of antioxidants. Eat more of the green stuff if you want your lungs to function properly. A compound in broccoli known as sulforaphane is what's responsible for protecting the lungs from damage.
Anti-inflammatory Foods
You want to choose other anti-inflammatory foods that aren't going to cause inflammation or swelling within your lungs or other organs. Foods such as tomatoes, leafy greens, cherries, walnuts, beans, and olives should all be on your weekly menu. Consume lots of fruits and vegetables if you hope to restore your lung health and prevent further damage.
Avoid Alcohol
What you drink impacts your body as well. You should really be sticking with water only if you hope to improve the condition of your lungs. Water will help to keep your body hydrated so all systems can function correctly. Your lungs can breathe better. Avoid drinking other beverages, especially alcohol. Alcohol breaks down your immune system and can make your lungs more susceptible to infection. People who regularly drink alcohol have an increased risk of developing acute respiratory stress syndrome and pneumonia.
The health of your lungs should always be taken into consideration. Difficulty breathing can cause pain in your chest and additional health problems that weaken your respiratory and immune system. Consider the foods you eat carefully and always choose options that work for your health and not against it.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Apex, N.C.