A healthy diet can help asthma sufferer’s deal with many of the adverse effects of this chronic condition. Doctors don’t know what causes asthma to develop in an individual but many sufferers also have food allergies that can provoke the symptoms and eliminating those harmful food products is the first step on the way to achieving better all-round health and wellbeing.
Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways, leading to swelling that causes difficulty in breathing, coughing and wheezing, and often a feeling of tightness in the chest. Certain foods are known to cause increased irritation in the airways and should be avoided. These include cow’s milk, fatty products such as cheese and items with added preservatives and colour.
Ginger is known as an efficient preventative for asthma and can be added to tea or coffee with the combination of ginger and caffeine acting as an aid to breathing. Turmeric, which is part of the ginger family, is also highly effective – add a spoonful to honey or warm milk to soothe any inflammation and reduce swelling. Spices are a potent aid, too, with the likes of black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin seeds and garlic being beneficial for your overall health. Add a dollop of chilli or hot mustard to your food, too – those spicy sauces dilate the airways and help get rid of mucus.
The humble onion has a big part to play in improving the health of an asthma sufferer thanks to the anti-inflammatory components of the vegetable. Throw in those leafy greens such as spinach and kale and make sure you fill up on pulses for essential Vitamin B. Pumpkin, green banana, grapes, raisins and papaya are all excellent additions to the healthy diet of an asthma sufferer, along with wholemeal breads, maize and millet.
Dairy products such as buffalo or cow’s milk and sadly even chocolate should be avoided. Instead choose goat’s milk. Other foodstuffs to strike off the menu include eggs and nuts; legumes and roots; white sugar, cakes and white bread. Reduce your salt intake and keep your fish intake low, although fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as mackerel and salmon, are fine in small amounts.
Make sure you only have a light evening meal as anything else will weigh heavily on the digestive system and cause irritation. Revising your diet to eliminate troublesome food and increase beneficial products can lead to a healthier lifestyle for asthma sufferers.
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