Diseases such as lung cancer, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ), and asthma can limit your ability to breathe oxygen. Oxygen itself is needed by every cell and body tissue to function optimally. For that, just like other parts of the body. Keeping lungs health is the main capital, one of which is by eating nutrient-dense foods.
Carrot
Carrots are one of the healthiest foods for the lungs because they contain carotenoids that can reduce oxidative stress.
The benefits of these carotenoids can prevent lung cancer and improve the lung capacity to breathe. Especially in people who have asthma. One type of carotenoid, lycopene, is even known to reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract.
In addition, the beta-carotene in carrots that the body converts into vitamin A can reduce the recurrence of asthma due to exercise.
In addition to carrots, carotenoids can also be found in spinach, kale, tomatoes, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes.
Apple
One fruit that is useful in maintaining lung health is apples. This fruit contains a lot of vitamin C which is closely related to the nutrition of fighting colds and flu.
Vitamin C is a good nutrient for lung health because it prevents the development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and supports its management. COPD is a disease that includes a variety of lung disorders. Including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Vitamin C is also reported to prevent and control asthma symptoms. Intake of vitamin C during pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of wheezing in early childhood.
In addition to apples, you can also get nutritional intake for lung health from fruits such as oranges, yellow peppers, papaya, guava, kiwi, and mango.
Vitamin C is also found in ginger. This natural ingredient is warming so it can thin phlegm. Therefore, it can be used as a natural cough medicine for coughing up phlegm.
Garlic
The benefit of garlic as a healthy food for the lungs is to increase the smooth flow of blood to the lungs so that you can breathe better.
This is because garlic is composed of several minerals such as selenium and allicin which can protect the lungs from respiratory disorders.
In addition to these two minerals, other minerals such as magnesium can relax the muscles. Around the pulmonary bronchi to keep the respiratory tract open due to bronchial constriction. Well, this bronchial constriction is a condition that triggers an asthma attack.
This is related to reducing the risk of asthma recurrence in children who increase the intake of magnesium, calcium, selenium, and potassium from fresh foods.
In addition to garlic, you can get this mineral as a lung health nutrient from green vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, beef and chicken, fish, and eggs.
Nuts
Nuts are included in healthy foods for the lungs because they contain vitamin E which is quite abundant.
Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a useful source of antioxidants to help slow down aging. However, this vitamin nutrient is believed to be useful for lung health. Because it can overcome the problem of wheezing while improving the function of this respiratory organ.
Evidence from an observational study entitled Nutrition and Respiratory Health also suggests that increasing the intake of vitamin E-rich food sources during pregnancy and breastfeeding can reduce the risk of asthma and wheezing in children.
In addition, increased intake of vitamin E has been shown to reduce the frequency of recurrence of respiratory problems in adults with COPD. The risk of developing COPD was also found to decrease by up to 10% in women taking 600 IU vitamin E supplements.
Vitamin E can also be obtained from green vegetables, sunflower oil, wheat germ, and milk-based drinks.
To get the most lung health benefits from vitamin E. Consume it with other lung-healthy food sources that are rich in vitamin C. Both of these vitamins can work effectively against free radicals in the body.