Our lungs are a vital organ and the most ignored organ of our body. It is through them that we breathe. Consequently our lungs are also sucking in harmful elements from the air around us. They are exposed to harmful pollutants and microbes that get deposited from the air we inhale. Regular detoxification of lungs will help in smooth functioning and help in expulsion of toxins. Thus it is important that we choose healthy foods to cleanse our lungs, so as to reduce common lung diseases and respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and cystic fibrosis.
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It’s crucial to eat healthy in order to detox your lungs naturally. Make sure that your diet includes foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients because they are essential for healthy lung functioning. Also, strive to avoid sugars and heavily processed food.
Some foods which are great for good lung health are listed below:5. Garlic
The anti-inflammatory properties along with a high level of allicin helps to fight infections and reduces inflammation. Garlic has numerous advantages and ways to improve your health. Besides being known for fighting infections and reducing inflammation it also reduces the risk of lung cancer.
Garlic can help reduce the risk of lung cancer
4. Apples
Apples have many health benefits. An apple is healthy, loaded with nutrients, high energy, high fiber, low calorie food. And one of the many health benefits of eating apples is that they good for the lungs. For effective functioning of lungs, you need foods rich in Vitamin C, E, beta carotene, apples, fruit juices and citrus fruits. But researchers say that benefits of apples depend on a person's lifestyle such as his/her history of smoking, exercising and a person's body mass index. Studies have shown that eating around 5 or more apples in a week can improve functioning of lungs. They say that people who ate apples regularly have a better and improved lung capacity as compared to those who did not eat apples regularly.
Apples are probably on top of almost every nutritionist and dietitian lists to heal lungs naturally.
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3. Ginger
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties ginger will help to clear your lungs naturally. You can add ginger to various dishes as it is a widely used herb. Also you can add it in your morning tea.You can also use it to prepare ginger tea blended with some lemon in it. This is beneficial to remove toxins from the respiratory tract.
Remember your Maa made adrak wali chai every time you caught a cold or cough? Well, dear old ginger helps in unclogging the respiratory tract and eliminates toxins from the lungs. The best way to consume ginger is by eating it raw, or having ginger tea. You can also indulge in a ginger powder bath for about half an hour. This will promote sweating and result in exclusion of toxins from the body.
2. Green tea
Drink a cup of your favourite herbal green tea before going to bed to release toxins in the intestine that can lead to constipation or other stomach ailments. You should refrain from overloading your lungs with tedious work during this purification process.
Green tea contains many antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in the lungs. These compounds may even protect lung tissue from the harmful effects of smoke inhalation.
A recent study involving more than 1,000 adults in Korea reported that people who drank at least 2 cups of green tea per day had better lung function than those who drank none.
1. Lentils
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In order to optimize the oxygen transportation faculties of the lungs, healthy hemoglobin levels are absolutely critical. Hemoglobin is a protein molecule that is found in red blood cells and aids in transporting oxygen from the lungs to body tissue. As an added benefit, hemoglobin stimulates the internal processes that returns carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be expelled from the body. Black beans, cow peas, dried peas, lentils, red kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and soybeans are some foods containing properties that raise hemoglobin levels. Additionally, supplement beans and lentils with vitamin-C rich foods to maximize iron absorption.
