Having healthy lungs is necessary for a long, complication-free life.
Various factors can tamper with this organ, bringing about serious health issues. Factors like consistent exposure to cigarette smoke, harmful toxins in the air/environment, and regularly consuming an inflammatory diet are serious deterrents.
Thankfully, research suggests that simple lifestyle changes like consuming an healthy diet can improve the state of the lungs and enhance its function.
Here are few foods that have been proven to have impressive effects on the human lungs.
- Peppers
Peppers are rich sources of vitamin C, an antioxidant which happens to be vital for lung health, particularly for smokers. Because of the extremely damaging effects that cigars have on antioxidant stores in the body, smokers tend to require more amounts of vitamin C than others.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes are among the greatest sources of lycopene, an important carotenoid antioxidant that is known to improve lung health. Regular intake of tomatoes has also been shown to reduce the rate of lungs decline in ex-smokers.
- Blueberries
Blueberries are highly concentrated with anthocyanins (pigments that protect lung tissues from oxidative damage) like petunidin, cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin and malvidin. These anthocyanins promote lung function.
- Yogurt
Yogurt is loaded with minerals like potassium, phosphorus, selenium and calcium. Studies have shown that these minerals promote lung function and reduces an individual’s risk of having COPD.
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- Olive oil
Olive oil is a very healthy alternative to any type of oil. Olive oil is a rich source of anti-inflammatory antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols. Regular intake of olive oil can protect the body against serious respiratory conditions like asthma and boosts the proper functioning of the lungs.
- Green tea
Green tea has brilliant effects on overall health. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can prevent the formation of pulmonary fibrosis and the scarring of lung tissues.
- Coffee
Coffee contains caffeine and different antioxidants that are known to contain properties that can assist in improving lung health and preventing respiratory diseases. Caffeine opens up the blood vessels by acting as a vasodilator.