Recent research has shown that diets that contain reduced quantities of fruits, vitamins C and vitamin E as well as omega-3 fatty acids are connected with lowered pulmonary functions.
The consumption of less than a quarter of a helping of fruit daily was shown to be associated with lower than average lung function and greater possibilities of being affected by chronic bronchitis symptoms and asthma. Low consumption of omega-3 fatty acids like those found largely in fish oil was responsible for increased incidence of chronic bronchitis symptoms wheeze and asthma. Smoking is still considered to be the most important threat to ideal respiratory and general health. Studies have shown that individuals, who are frequent smokers and have lower consumption of vitamin C in their diet, had greater chances of developing respiratory disorders. Needless to say, these studies have reconfirmed that the best solution for smokers to prevent lung and heart disorders was to quit smoking.
Scientists are now discovering that the increased consumption of protein rich foods like pulses and sprouts may be effective in improving lung function as well as in lowering the possibilities of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Another effective option is to increase the intake of fruits and vegetables. These too have been known to improve overall lung function and reduce the possibilities of being affected by some types of lung disorders.
There are several ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet. You can have fresh fruits and vegetables directly as snacking meals. Prepare smoothies with either fresh or frozen fruit with milk or yoghurt. It would be a good idea to have 100 percent fruit juices or vegetable juices, which come with no added sugar, as often as possible. Another interesting alternative is to include cut vegetables or even baby carrots as dipping with a low-fat creamy dressing. Try to sneak in vegetables, either finely grated or pureed into meat loaf and hamburgers. The antioxidants and vitamin C found in large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables are believed to be very effective in protecting overall lung health. Studies presented at reputed medial institutes have revealed that a diet with a high content of fruit, particularly apples and tomatoes are effective in providing protection against respiratory disorders.
As mentioned earlier, it is highly recommended to increase the consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. If you don’t particularly fancy a taste of fish, you can increase your omega-3 consumption by adding walnuts, flaxseeds and eggs to your diet as these contain large amounts of essential fatty acids.