Nutrition is integral to keeping one’s body healthy, including maintaining respiratory or lung health. Though several healthy lifestyle changes can help keep lung health in top shape, some specific food choices can further facilitate this by safeguarding one’s lungs from illnesses. On the other hand, some food items should be avoided entirely to ensure no infections or inflammation in the respiratory tract. Here are some foods that are best and worst for one’s lungs.

Safe foods

High fiber foods
These include whole wheat foods like brown rice, wheat pasta, and even brown bread. Also, baked beans, quinoa, chia seeds, pears, broccoli, raspberries, peas, lentils, and black beans are excellent fiber sources. Research suggests that people who add more fiber to their meals are more likely to have better lung health than those who don’t include fiber.

Coffee
The caffeine present in coffee is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains polyphenols which are a well-known antioxidant and are also anti-inflammatory. Research indicates that drinking some caffeine every day will keep your lungs healthy and fit.

Whole grains
Barley, brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, quinoa, and even oats are good examples of whole grains. Besides being fiber-rich, they contain nutrients like vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and selenium. These foods are also known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. All of these nutrients are essential for keeping the lungs healthy.

Green leafy vegetables
Eating greens can never go wrong, and research suggests the same. Kale, swiss chard, and spinach are all great examples of nutritious leafy greens that must be added to the daily meal plan. Due to the high content of carotenoids, these foods are known to have excellent antioxidant properties, which help keep the lungs healthy and functioning well.

Foods to avoid

Sugary drinks
Studies suggest that having too many sugary drinks, specifically having more than five sweetened drinks in a week, can lead to a higher risk of developing lung illnesses like bronchitis. Kids can even develop asthma due to drinking too many such sweet beverages. Nutritional experts advise switching these drinks to plain water or healthier beverage options like tea, smoothies, or vegetable juices.

Excessively salty foods
Salt is an essential flavor in any dish, but too much salt can ruin the food and lung health. According to studies, people who overeat salty foods are more likely to deal with long-term bronchitis complications. High-sodium foods and meals can also increase the risk of developing asthma. It is advised that the daily salt intake should be restricted to 1500 to 2300 mg, but one should try to keep it at the lower limit.

Processed meats
Anything processed is always bad news, and that mainly includes processed meats. Bacon, deli meat, ham, and sausage are all processed meats that should be avoided at all costs. Due to the high presence of nitrites in the meat, it is observed that they can cause inflammation that can add stress to the lungs. How these foods worsen lung function is reason enough to quit them for better respiratory health.