You probably wouldn’t expect your diet to have an influence on your asthma symptoms, but according to a growing body of research, you may be able to reduce asthma symptoms by eating certain foods. Of course, this is no replacement for consulting with your doctor and taking your medication as prescribed, but if you’re looking for some extra relief, incorporating these foods into your diet may do the trick:
- Apples: Apples contain chemical compounds called flavenoids, some of which have been shown to open airways. One recent UK study found that people who ate two to five apples per week were 32 percent less likely to have asthma than those who ate fewer apples.
- Citrus fruits:Â The high levels of vitamin C found in citrus fruits may be able to prevent damage to the lungs due to free radicals in the system. A Japanese study found that children who had a higher intake of vitamin C were less likely to be diagnosed with asthma.
- Fish oil:Â It may not be the tastiest of foods, but fish oil has been shown to increase lung health and is a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids. One study found that people with asthma who began taking fish oil experienced reduced constriction of their airways and had to use less of their medications.
- Carrots:Â The beta-carotene found in carrots is a potent antioxidant and may reduce the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma. Carrots aren’t the only vegetables that contain beta-carotene, though. It can be found in many brightly-colored vegetables, like sweet potatoes and green peppers.
Another effective way of managing your asthma symptoms is to invest in a home air purifier. For more information about air purifiers for asthma, contact us at US Air Purifiers today.