What Foods Are Healthy for the Lungs?

Eating well is important for the whole body, including the lungs. The simple act of breathing requires quite a bit of energy in the form of nutrients. If you don't giveyour bodies what it needs, it will likely break down. Not getting the proper nutrition will make you feel weak and tired.

Good Foods

A variety of foods will help insure lung health. When you choose fruits and vegetables the deeper the color the better, so eat plenty of deep green leafy vegetables, turnips, carrots, pumpkin, squash, berries, and melons. Lean proteins such as eggs, fish, white meat from turkey and chicken and nuts, particularly almonds, will help nourish the lungs.

Other Healthy Habits

Drink plenty of water, preferably six to eight glasses of water or other non-alcoholic beverage per day. Exercise regularly. Three to five hours of aerobic activity per week is ideal to maintain lung health.

What to Avoid

Avoid too much salt, and cut the use of caffeine and alcohol. They're all hard on the lungs. Limit your consumption of sugary beverages, cakes, cookies, and candy. Stay away from oily and greasy foods because they stress the lungs. Avoid drinking beverages with your food. Drinking liquid while eating adds pressure on the diaphragm. Don't chew gum because it can cause bloating and gas when air is swallowed.

Weight and Breathing

Being overweight adds stress to the lungs. With extra weight in the abdomen, breathing becomes more difficult and stresses the lungs and heart.

Asthma and Diet

According to Dr. Michael Abramson, associate professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash Medical School in Melbourne, Australia, asthma is increased by the effect of oily fish in tins. However, salt had a preventative effect.

There is a link between asthma and obesity. In a study by Dr. Isabella Annesi-Maesano, respiratory epidemiologist at the Sante et de la Recherche Medicale in Villejuif, France, the risk of asthma was approximately 30 percent greater in obese children than in those of a healthy weight.

Herbs for Lung Health

Some of the herbs that are known to promote lung health include Chinese white ginseng, ophiopogon, and schizandra. According to Eyton J. Shalom, M.S., L.Ac, the combination of these herbs create a formula that helps strengthen lung function after a respiratory infection or illness.