Due to the presence of the antioxidant quercetin, apples have been shown to reduce lung deterioration and even lung damage caused by smoking. Those who eat five or more apples a week also have a lower risk of developing COPD. But it should also be noted that eating apples is healthier than drinking apple juice. Renowned nutritionist Nmami Agarwal agrees, saying that apples have many benefits and one of them is that they are good for the lungs.
They are high in fibre and it takes a lot of chewing time to eat apples. The lungs work well if you eat foods rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene. Research has shown that eating apples regularly can help promote lung function. We all know the famous adage that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away".
We can't deny it, can we? This adage has been backed up by several recent studies with scientific evidence. According to some clinical studies, the risk of developing lung cancer is reduced with regular consumption of apples. Apples are also credited with reducing the risk of asthma, according to one study. It helps maintain and improve the functioning of the lungs and the entire respiratory system.
The work, part of the European Commission-funded Ageing Lungs in European Cohorts (ALEC) study led by Imperial College London, also found a slower decline in lung function among all adults, including those who had never smoked or had quit smoking, with higher tomato consumption. These help protect lung tissues before and after radiation exposure and help reduce lung inflammation. Evidence suggests that smokers may have 25% lower concentrations of carotenoid antioxidants than non-smokers, which may impair lung health (1). In addition, beet greens are packed with magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and carotenoid antioxidants, all of which are essential for lung health (2).
Lung conditions such as COPD can significantly reduce lung function and your ability to breathe comfortably. A study of 839 veterans found that blueberry intake was associated with the slowest rate of lung function decline and that consumption of 2 or more servings of blueberries per week slowed lung function decline by up to 38%, compared to low or no blueberry intake (2.Blueberries are packed with nutrients, and their consumption has been associated with a number of health benefits, including protection and preservation of lung function (20). However, research has shown that lifestyle modifications, including following a nutrient-rich diet, can help protect the lungs and even reduce lung damage and disease symptoms. The anti-inflammatory property of curcumin found in turmeric is really important in improving lung function and helps conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis and acute lung injury through its efficacy in lung conditions with abnormal inflammatory responses.
Try incorporating some of the above foods and drinks into your diet to support lung health. The work, which is part of the European Commission-funded Ageing Lungs in European Cohorts (ALEC) study led by Imperial College London, also found a slower decline in lung function among all adults, including those who had never smoked or had quit, with increased tomato consumption. Antioxidants found in whole grains, such as flavonoids and vitamin E, also promote lung health and protect against cell damage (...) Wholegrain foods are not only high in fibre, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, but are also full of vitamin E, selenium and essential fatty acids, which are good for lung health. Tomatoes and tomato products are among the richest dietary sources of lycopene, an antioxidant carotenoid that has been linked to improved lung health.
For the study, the research team assessed the diet and lung function of more than 650 adults in 2002, and then repeated the lung function tests on the same group of participants 10 years later. It also suggests that a diet rich in fruit can slow the natural ageing process of the lungs even if you have never smoked, says Vanessa Garcia-Larsen, an assistant professor in the Bloomberg School's Department of International Health and lead author of the study.
