Lung Health – 6 Foods to Avoid
Our body converts food into energy through metabolism, when the food and oxygen get broken down as energy and carbon dioxide, respectively. We exhale the carbon dioxide while breathing out. Those with a lung disease might have to work much harder to exhale the carbon dioxide. A meal plan that is poor in antioxidants and fiber or rich in nitrates, fat, and sugar is bound to affect the lungs and trigger symptoms like breathing difficulties.
Foods to omit for healthy lungs
Lung diseases can cause breathing difficulty, prevent the lungs from working properly or affect other respiratory organs like airways, blood vessels, and lung tissues. The lungs’ main function is transporting oxygen to all body parts and carrying carbon dioxide away from the lungs. Some of the common diseases that affect the lungs include viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, asthma, mesothelioma, lung cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Inflammation in the lungs and airways can also lead to many lung-related diseases. One should omit all foods that can trigger any infection or worsen existing lung disease. This is crucial for anyone with a history of lung infection, who has been exposed to harmful chemicals, lives in polluted environments, or works in hazardous professions.
One should also avoid foods that can cause inflammation, gas, and bloating, as these can put additional pressure on the lungs.
Here are a few foods that one should avoid to prevent any damage to the lungs:
- Carbonated beverages
If one drinks soda frequently and is at high risk for lung-related diseases, it is time to stop it completely. Carbonated and aerated drinks affect the lungs in more than one way. They are filled with gas and cause the chest to tighten, making breathing difficult. Research says that carbonated beverages can promote inflammation, which can cause breathing problems and coughing almost instantly.
