Food provides energy to carry out all bodily functions, including breathing. However, breathing issues such as  COPD, asthma, allergies, and cold and flu can lead to exhaustion, and our body needs oxygen to digest and chew food. If you have a breathing problem, oxygen may often be insufficient. Talk to your doctor about medications and treatments, such as Spiriva, Flonase, Claritin, Zyrtec, Stiolto, and Allegra, as well as preventative shot registration and information (like the Novavax booster shot) and participating in clinical trials and medical trials. More importantly, you should speak to your doctor to understand how to eat well to keep the body strong and fight infections. Here, we discuss some dietary tips for those who have breathing issues:

Foods to eat

1. Apples
Research suggests that good lung function is directly associated with higher Vitamin E and C and beta carotene intake. All of these components can be found in apples. They are a good source of antioxidants, which keep your lungs healthy.

2. Walnuts
Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. So, add only a handful of them to your diet, and they can help you tackle your respiratory conditions better. It can also be a good pick for people with asthma. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, which guard you against all inflammatory ailments.

3. Berries
Blueberry and acai berry are two berries that are vital for your lung health. They are rich vitamin C sources and have antioxidants in them, which can help you combat free radicals.

4. Broccoli
Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamin C. It also has phytochemicals, carotenoids, and folate, which can help combat all the deteriorating elements in the lungs. Broccoli has L-sulforaphane, which tricks the cells to turn on their anti-inflammatory genes to prevent respiratory conditions.

5. Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper has capsaicin in them. It helps stimulate secretions and guards the mucus membranes against the lower and upper respiratory tract. It is recommended to consume cayenne pepper tea, as it has a good beta-carotene content and lowers asthma symptoms.

Foods to avoid

1. Salt
When you consume a lot of sat, it results in water retention. This can hamper your ability to breathe effortlessly. So, remove that salt shaker from the table, and avoid adding salt to your cooking. Instead, you can use spices and herbs to add flavor to your food. You can even try out some low-sodium salt substitutes.

2. Dairy products
In some people, dairy products, such as cheese and milk lead to thicker phlegm. However, if the dairy you consume does not make your phlegm worse, you can go on eating it.

3. Foods that lead to gas
If you have breathing issues, avoid foods that lead to bloating and gas. These foods tend to make your breathing worse. Furthermore, they may cause asthma flare-ups and lead to chest tightness. Some of the items that you should avoid consuming are fried foods, garlic, onion, beans, and carbonated drinks.

Following these useful eating tips when you have breathing issues can certainly help in the long run.