Spring clean your lungs!
With these horrible Northern California fires, we need to protect your lungs. Here’s some foods that can help re-balance and support these billowy organs, admit all this smoke.
Top Foods for lung health…
Foods With Vitamin C
Foods that contain high amounts of vitamin C help your lungs effectively transport oxygen throughout the body. Foods that are good sources of vitamin C and popular choices for lung health are: kiwifruit, oranges, red and green bell peppers, citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, vegetable and tomato juice, strawberries, broccoli, pineapples, mango and cantaloupe melon. Yum, yum and yum!
Cruciferous Vegetables
A cruciferous vegetable is any food that is a member of the cabbage family. They are generally packed with antioxidants that naturally help your body cleanse toxins. Some of the most popular choices for people pursuing lung health is broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.
Foods With Carotenoids
Carotenoid is an orange antioxidant pigment that have been shown to cut the risks of developing lung cancer. Carotenoids are found in fruits and vegetables characterized with orange or red colors. Carrots are a great option because of the beta-carotene in them. This antioxidant is converted to vitamin A which can help reduce the incident of asthma. One of my favorite juices is Carrot, orange & ginger, a delicious powerhouse!
Foods With Omega-3 Fatty Acids
This fatty acid is crucial for your overall health. Preliminary studies suggest that foods that are rich in the fatty acid have beneficial effect on asthma. If you can’t get enough of it through fish, nuts or flaxseed, try taking one of the many supplements available. Grind flaxseeds and sprinkle over veggies, grains or in smoothies.
Foods With Folate
These foods are great for fighting the process of lung carcinogens and preventing forms of cancer. Some great choices include spinach, asparagus, beets, and lentils. Fresh squeezed spinach, beet and apple juice with a hint of ginger is absolutely delicious!
Garlic
Garlic has remained a staple for various natural health practices because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The high level of allicin reduces inflammation and fight infection. It destroys free radicals and may help to improve asthma. And it taste amazing in your food! Garlic can bring any recipe to a whole new level of delight.
Berries
Berries are one of the richest antioxidant fruits, containing the polyphenols anthocyanins and the flavonoids beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants protect your lungs from cancer, disease and infection. Berries are a wonderful addition in smoothies, salads, cereals & grains. Or just pop em straight into your mouth!
Ginger
This spice is incredibly easy to incorporate into your meal for an added flavor and health boost. The anti-inflammatory function clears your lungs of lingering pollution that could lead to health issues. Ginger tea is another lovely way to enjoy this tasty root.
Turmeric
This spice is similar to ginger in its lung health benefits with anti-inflammatory properties. As an added bonus the high amounts of curcumin can lead to the elimination of cancer cells. I sprinkle turmeric on practically everything I eat. I am particularly of fond of it in eggs, soups, chicken & veggie dishes.
Grapefruit
If you learn to enjoy the bitter taste of this fruit, you will benefit from the wealth of lung supporting vitamins and minerals in it. Flavonoids in the fruit are great for cleaning out lungs that have been effected by carcinogens. I didn’t develop a taste for grapefruits until my mid 30’s. Now i’m totally in love with them. Each time I eat one, I am filled with the knowing of how much my body loves them!
Much love,
Amanda
