When you’re feeling under the weather, your first instinct might be to pop a bunch of cough drops and wait for the symptoms to go away. But what if we told you there are other ways to treat colds and flu (and help your lungs feel better in the process)?
The best fruits for lungs can help you get healthier—and they can even help you prevent lung problems in the future. And while it’s true that eating fruits and vegetables has been proven to confer health benefits, there are certain types that are especially beneficial for your respiratory system.
Right here on Foodkeg, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on vegetables good for lungs, best juice for lungs, what are the fruits good for lungs, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Fruits That Are Good For Lungs
What we eat may not directly affect the lungs, but our food indirectly touches them through the cardiovascular system and by providing antioxidant protection.
It’s no secret that a well-balanced diet keeps the body and mind strong. But, eating the right nutrients may support better breathing and even reduce asthma symptoms. When the body processes or metabolizes food to fuel, oxygen, and food are taken in and energy is produced. Carbon dioxide is a waste product of this process that we exhale.
Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates metabolize differently and produce different amounts of carbon dioxide. According to the American Lung Association, for some people with COPD, eating a diet low in carbohydrates and more healthy fats help them to breathe better.
A high-fat diet has also been linked to a higher risk of developing lung cancer. People who eat a lot of saturated fat like the kind found in processed meat are more likely to develop lung cancer.
On the other hand, eating fruits has been shown to lower these risks. Eating well goes hand in hand with exercise in keeping your lungs clear, healthy, and not overburdened. Fresh, raw foods are the best way to get the enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will keep you breathing easy.
14 Foods for Healthy Lungs and Help You Breathe Better
1. Water
Water plays a huge role in health and is the base of any cleansing action. Pure, clean water is essential to keeping blood flowing to and from the lungs. It also keeps our lungs hydrated and the mucus flowing. It may sound disgusting, but that mucus is important and needs to be the right consistency for the cilia to move it—along with toxins, microbes, and pollutants—out.
A large part of the body is made up of water. When the body is dehydrated, our bodies start to feel the effect. Proper hydration is essential for more than just lung health. It helps to remove waste from the body, transport nutrients throughout the body, and regulate body temperature.
2. Garlic and Onions
These pungent foods are great for the heart and thus the lungs too. They reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and fight infection. Garlic is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
One study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that smokers who ate raw garlic had a 40% lower lung cancer risk compared to those who didn’t consume raw garlic.
3. Ginger
This spice has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes the elimination of pollutants from the lungs. Ginger has a ton of benefits not just for the lungs but for the rest of the body too. Ginger can help to decongest and unclog air passages helping to boost lung health and improve breathing.
4. Chili Peppers
Peppers are filled with capsaicin, the spicy compound that gives them their bite. Capsaicin improves blood flow, stimulates mucus membranes, and fights infection.
5. Cruciferous Vegetables
Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale have been shown to halt the progression of lung cancer and cut the risk of developing lung cancer in half. They are rich in chlorophyll that cleans and builds blood and full of some very effective antioxidants.
6. Pomegranates
Pomegranate juice slows the growth of lung tumors. Pomegranates contain many antioxidants including ellagic acid, which is gaining strides in cancer research.
7. Turmeric
This spice is related to ginger with many of the same benefits. It also contains curcumin, a compound that encourages the self-destruction of cancer cells. Curcumin helps to relieve inflammation and chest tightness that’s associated with asthma.
One study followed 77 participants with mild and moderate asthma who took curcumin capsules for 30 days. Researchers found that the supplements reduced obstructions in the airway and could be a complementary treatment for asthma sufferers.
8. Apples
Flavonoids, vitamin E, and vitamin C all help the lungs function at their best. Apples are rich in all of these and those who eat several a week have healthier lungs. Apples are rich in antioxidants which can help keep your lungs healthy.
9. Grapefruit
Naringin, a flavonoid in grapefruit, inhibits the activation of a cancer-causing enzyme. White grapefruit contains a high amount of this flavonoid, though pink grapefruit has some too along with the antioxidant lycopene. Grapefruit is especially good at cleansing the lungs after quitting smoking. The fruit is 92% water so it’s ideal for keeping you hydrated, supporting your overall health.
10. Beans, Seeds & Nuts
These all contain a good amount of magnesium, a mineral that contributes to healthy lung function. They also provide essential fatty acids that are good for the cardiovascular system. Flax seeds are a great choice as they contain a healthy dose of vitamin E, boosting the immune system and supply of red blood cells.
Try adding a handful of walnuts to your diet. They are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and are thought to contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help combat asthma and other respiratory conditions. Nuts are also a fantastic snack when you’re on the go.
11. Carrots
These roots are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and lycopene, all antioxidants that affect lung health and lower the chances of developing lung disease. Researchers found that drinking carrot juice may help to prevent a type of damage that leads to lung cancer in smokers. Carrots are a healthy and tasty snack to eat on the go.
12. Oranges
Citrus is rich in vitamin C and vitamin B6. These help the lungs transfer oxygen. Oranges are full of lung-friendly antioxidants and packed with vitamin C which is known for fighting infection and inflammation.
A review of studies published in Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology found that vitamin C may play an essential role in reducing exercise-induced asthma by 52%. Exercise-induced asthma refers to the narrowing of the airways in your lungs that’s brought on by strenuous exercise. Symptoms include wheezing and coughing.
13. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is another food rich in beta carotene and vitamin C, like carrots. Pumpkin is full of antioxidants that may help to combat cancer, in particular, prostate and lung. It’s also a good source of fiber and potassium.
14. Red Bell Pepper and Cayenne Pepper
These mild peppers are rich in vitamin C and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenoids have been shown to cut the risks of developing lung cancer.
Cayenne pepper is rich in capsaicin which helps to stimulate healthy secretions that protect the mucous membranes in the lungs. Try drinking cayenne pepper tea. It’s also a great source of beta-carotene which is thought to reduce several symptoms associated with asthma.
To keep your lungs in tip-top shape, it’s important to exercise regularly, avoid smoking and follow a healthy diet. There are certain nutrients that benefit the air passageways, improve breathing and keep the lungs healthy. By including these foods in your diet and following a well-balanced lifestyle, it’s not just your lungs that benefit but your overall health.
best Juice For Lungs
Our lungs are the most ignored organ of our body. Daily, they are exposed to killer pollutants and microbes that get deposited from the air you inhale. In the case of smokers, their healthy pink lungs turn black with the deposition of tar in their lungs. Regular detoxification of lungs will help in smooth functioning and help in expulsion of toxins.
1. Go cold turkey.
The best way for a lung detox is to quit smoking. Nicotine and tobacco smoke inhibit lung functions and also put you at risk for lung infections and lung cancer. Going cold turkey will help you remove tar from lungs.
2. Discard dairy.
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To detox your lungs, get rid of all the dairy products. This will help your body exclude the toxins during the lung cleanse.
3. Bring on the green tea!
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Drink a cup of your favourite herbal green tea before bed to release toxins in the intestine that can lead to constipation. Refrain from overloading your lungs with tedious work during this purification process.
4. Lemons rule.
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In a tall glass of warm water, add a quarter cup of lemon juice and drink it before breakfast. You can also opt for a glass of pineapple or cranberry juice instead of lemon juice for lung cleanse.
5. Drink carrot juice.
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Drink at least 300 ml of carrot juice between breakfast and lunch, so you can alkalise your body for the detox lungs.
6. Get your potassium kick.
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For lunch, indulge in potassium rich drinks to clean your lungs. Cantaloupe, oranges, chikoo, banana, sweet potato, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, apricots, figs, dates and berries are all rich in potassium and can aid in lung cleanse.
7. Ginger
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Remember your Maa made adrak wali chai every time you caught a cold or cough? Well, dear old ginger helps in unclogging the respiratory tract and eliminates toxins from the lungs. The best way to consume ginger is by eating it raw, or having ginger tea. You can also indulge in a ginger powder bath for about half an hour. This will promote sweating and result in exclusion of toxins from the body.
8. Load on the antioxidants.
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Before going to bed, drink 400 ml of pineapple or cranberry juice to fight infection-causing bacteria in the lungs. The antioxidants in these drinks are very helpful for your respiratory system as they can greatly purify your lungs.
9. Take a hot shower.
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A 20-minute hot bath daily will aid in removing toxins. You could also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to hot water and inhale the steam to purify your lungs naturally. The expectorant compound found in eucalyptus helps in soothing sore throat, congestion and sinus problems.
10. Freak out on the oregano.
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Oregano is rich in natural decongestants and histamine reducers that aid in smooth nasal airflow and better functioning of the respiratory tract. Simply sprinkle oregano to your food or drinks and drink it daily to clean your lungs naturally.
11. Include peppermint or pudina in your diet.
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This humble herb is a fantastic decongestant. Chew on 3-5 peppermint leaves daily to fight infection-causing bacteria in the lungs.
12. Choose the yoga way!
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Practice deep breathing for half an hour daily. This will help in flushing out the impurities from your lungs.
13. Include healthy foods, specifically for your lungs, in your diet.
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Water, cruciferous veggies, apples, fatty fish, beans, nuts, carrots are all foods that will boost lung health and keep them healthy.
So there you go! Whether it’s a lung cleanse or an out-an-out lung detox, following these simple ways can help you achieve healthy, breathing lungs in no time.