14 Healthy Foods for Your Lungs and Breathing

Are you looking for food that is healthy for your lungs? Our lungs are some of the most essential organs in our body. They allow us to breathe air safely, so we need to keep them safe and healthy. Besides doing physical things such as avoiding smoke or regularly exercising, another way we can keep our lungs safe is by eating foods that are healthy for our bodies.

Eating healthy food is one of the best ways you can help your lungs stay in good shape. We will tell you what foods are safe for your lungs and promote long-lasting lung function to keep your lungs healthy. Here is our list of healthy foods for your lungs:

Apples

Studies show that regularly eating apples can improve your lung function and reduce your chances of getting COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Besides improving general lung function, apples can also reduce the likelihood of lung cancer or asthma happening. The reason for this is that apples have a high concentration of antioxidants (such as vitamin C and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties).

Tomato or Tomato Products

Eating tomatoes or tomato products can help your lung function due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the food. It can help reduce asthma attacks and prolong lung function. This is because tomatoes contain a rich amount of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been shown to improve lung health.

Yogurt

Yogurts are a great choice, both as a delicious food and as a healthy food option for your lungs. Because yogurt is rich in several minerals such as calcium, selenium, phosphorus, and more, this food option can help boost your lung function and reduce the chances of you suffering the risk of COPD.

Barley

If you want something more whole grain, then barley is the answer that you are looking for. Barley grains have high fiber which can prolong your lung function and it can also lessen the chances of you suffering from lung diseases. Besides it being rich in fiber, barley also contains many antioxidants, such as vitamin E and flavonoids, both of which help protect your lungs.

Pumpkin

Pumpkins have been shown to help with improving lung function, especially for ex-smokers. The reason why pumpkins can help with your lungs is because the bright orange flesh of pumpkins contains many plant compounds, especially those of the carotenoid variant. These carotenoids have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which promote good lung health and long-lasting lung function.

Red Cabbage

Looking for a more affordable food option that helps with your lung health? Red cabbages may be the thing that you are looking for, with them being a rich source of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins does not only give red cabbages their unique coloration, but they can also reduce the decline of your lung function. Besides its anthocyanins, red cabbages also contain high fiber, which studies have shown can improve lung health compared to low-fiber foods.

Oysters

Oysters contain many nutrients (such as vitamin B, copper, selenium, and zinc) that can help with lung function. People who have higher blood levels of copper and selenium have been shown to have excellent lung function compared to those who have low blood levels of both nutrients. Vitamin B and zinc can also help with general lung health, especially for those who smoke.

Cocoa

Products like dark chocolate, which contains cocoa, are shown to improve lung function to a considerable degree. This is because cocoas have high flavonoid antioxidants that assist with your lung health. Cocoa also contains a peculiar compound called theobromine, which can help your lung's airways to relax. Like all foods, however, you should still have a healthy intake of chocolate and not eat too much of it.

Peppers

While you may be surprised at how peppers can help with your lungs, the reason for this is quite simple. Peppers contain a rich amount of vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants you can safely consume for your body. Having a high intake of vitamin C is crucial if you want to prolong your lung function. Having just one medium-sized pepper (119 grams) can give you the recommended amount of vitamin C intake.

Blueberries

Besides being a delicious fruit, blueberries also contain a ton of nutrients that have many health benefits, including prolonging your lung function. The reason why blueberries can help improve your lung health is because they are rich in anthocyanins, such as cyanidin, peonidin, malvidin, and more. These anthocyanins can shield lung tissue from oxidative damage.

Bananas

Potassium, something that bananas are famous for having, can help with regulating blood pressure, reducing water retention, and improving digestion. Because bananas are rich in potassium and other antioxidants (such as vitamin C), they are more than helpful with prolonging your lung function. Not only that, but bananas also have high fiber, making them great healthy foods for your lungs.

Nuts

Nuts, in general, have polyunsaturated fats, which are fats that do not contain cholesterol and usually come from plant sources. These healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties, and they can help with managing your blood pressure. Because of this, nuts are a great choice if you want to breathe easier and improve your lung function.

Grapes

Fresh grapes contain vitamins (such as vitamin D) and minerals that have (particularly resveratrol) anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Not only does this help prolong your lung function, but grapes also have a high amount of fiber. This can help your lungs stay healthy for a long while.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens (such as spinach, kale, and bok choy) are rich in potassium, vitamins, calcium, iron, and carotenoids. These nutrients have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, most leafy greens can help with improving lung function and general health.

Conclusion

Now that you have seen our list of healthy foods for your lungs, you must know that it is not only what you eat that matters but how much of it you eat. While eating healthy foods is recommended, it is even more crucial that you eat the recommended amount of them. Problems can arise if you eat too much of these foods, so you need to look out for the recommended daily intake of these foods.