The cold winds during winter can play havoc on an individual’s lungs and overall health. We must take extra care during winters to ensure good lung health.
The dry nature of cold air during winter can irritate the airways of people with existing lung diseases and worsen the condition. Winters can make it difficult to manage lung and heart-related conditions, which is why one should be extra vigilant about their health and overall well-being.
The lungs are one of the vital organs humans have. The function of the Lungs is to draw oxygen from the air, transport it into the bloodstream, and aid in removing carbon dioxide from our bloodstream. Lungs also supply the airflow with the help of which human speech is possible. Our lungs keep our body supplied with oxygen and remove waste gases. Our lungs also play a vital role in our immune system.
When we breathe in air, it generally contains germs that may carry infections and make us ill. Our lungs work like a filter and help us stay healthy by preventing unwanted infections from entering our body.
We cannot prevent pollution from affecting our lungs, but we can include certain nutritious foods rich in essential nutrients that can be beneficial for our lung health.
Six Superfoods For Lung Health
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Apples: It is rightly said that – an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Therefore, we must ensure to add apples to our diets due to the numerous health benefits of this fruit. Consuming apples regularly can help maintain overall health as they contain good amounts of fiber, vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants that support digestion and enhance brain and lung function.
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Tomato: Tomatoes are loaded with a substance called lycopene, which gives them their bright red color and helps protect them from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. In the same way, it can help protect our cells from damage. Lycopene also helps lower LDL, or bad cholesterol, as well as blood pressure. Lycopene is helpful for people with asthma and prevents emphysema, a condition that slowly damages the air sacs in our lungs.
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Pumpkin: Being rich in essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, pumpkin makes a great addition to an ideal healthy diet. It is a weight-loss-friendly food that also contains various lung health-promoting plant compounds. Pumpkins are exceptionally rich in carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which have anti-inflammatory properties and protect the lungs from seasonal illnesses.
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Beetroots: An ideal winter diet should include beetroots. Beets are extremely nutritious vegetables loaded with essential nutrients required for optimal health. They are vibrant-coloured foods that are great for lung health. They are a good source of nitrates known to enhance lung function by helping the blood vessels relax, reduce blood pressure, and manage oxygen levels.
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Red Cabbage: All cabbages are loaded with important nutrients linked to numerous health benefits. Ideally, red cabbage is a good source of vitamins, minerals, calcium, magnesium, and manganese that support bone health and promote lung health.
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Blueberries: They are a great source of vital nutrients and antioxidants known as anthocyanins that protect against several heart diseases. Blueberry’s exceptional nutrient content helps protect and preserve lung functions and health.
The lungs are one of the vital organs in our body. Therefore, it becomes essential to ensure good lung health. Adding the above six foods to our diet can ensure good lung health during winters. Additionally, one must ensure to stay away from pollution, smoke and practice breathing exercises regularly. In case of any difficulty breathing, one must consult a pulmonologist.
