13 Foods That Will Keep Respiratory Infections Away During Winters

Our LUNGS, one of the most important organs, have been the most affected one in terms of exposure. Increasing pollution and global warming are also adding to this health hazard. About2.5 million people die every year i.e., 30.7% of deaths in India.

The coming month, November is observed as the respiratory disorders’ awareness month around the world. So, it becomes important to create some general awareness through this article along with some simple foods that can help to prevent these Respiratory Disorders.

Causes of Respiratory Disorders:

Many people nowadays are facing respiratory problems on a daily basis, including – breathing difficulty, cough, mucus production, and wheezing. A number of factors contribute to these problems, For example – passive smoking, inhaled particulate matter (PM), gaseous chemicals present in the atmosphere like – Nitrous oxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), and Sulphur dioxide (So2), Corona virus outbreak.

So, what can be the way out of this? The answer is right there in our kitchen. Daily foods like garlic, turmeric, ginger, pumpkin, citrus fruits, onion, tomato, green tea, olive oil, oysters, coffee, barley, lentils, etc. can give huge relief from these respiratory problems, with a requirement of making all or some of these elements a part of your daily routine.

Foods to Keep Respiratory Infections Away in Winters

GARLIC: contains chemopreventive agent that can have protective effects on lung cancer. It eliminates toxins via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Beneficial to asthmatics and people suffering from bronchitis.

TUMERIC: Contains ‘Cur cumin’, which relieves inflammation of the airways and tightness in the chest. It is a natural anti-septic that improves lung function.

GINGER: It helps in breaking down the developed mucus and expels it out of the system. Also, gives a soothing effect to sore throat.

PUMPKIN: Contains ‘Carotenoids’ that boosts up the immunity level.

CITRUS FRUITS: Lemon and orange are the basic source for vitamin C and antioxidants that acts as immunity boosters and reduces wheezing tin children.

ONION: Rich in micronutrients and vitamins, because a lot of energy is drained out from the body while fighting from these infections. Traditionally,a herbal remedy for cold, influenza and bronchitis. Hones lung function with its anti inflammatory properties.

TOMATO: The richest source of ‘lycopene’, a carotenoid antioxidant that promotes healthy lungs.

GREEN TEA: Contains ‘Epigallocatechin gallate’ in concentration which reduces inflammation, prevents chronic diseases and aids weight loss.

OLIVE OIL: Presence of polyphenols and Vitamin E as antioxidants reduces the risk of Asthma.

OYSTERS: Power packed with copper, B vitamins, zinc and selenium. All of these are essential for healthy lungs. Oysters are a good source of nutrition for the people who smoke regularly, as this habit tends to deplete Vitamin B12 from the body.

COFFEE: A major source of caffeine, which acts as a vasodilator (it opens up the blood vessels) that reduces the symptoms of asthma.

BARLEY: A high fiber whole grain. Rich in nutrition that helps you stay strong. Presence of flavonoids and Vitamin E protects against cellular damage and keeps the lungs healthy.

LENTILS: Nutrients like copper, magnesium, potassium and iron are highly present. Keeps the body healthy and protects against lung cancer.

With our lifestyle becoming more stationary and the environment becoming more polluted, these basic ingredients can do wonders. Nature based remedies do not impose side effects like the contemporary medicines which do more harm than good to our system.