Fruit Juices for Healthy Lungs
Staying away from pollutants, not smoking and participating in regular exercise are all ways to keep your lungs healthy. In addition to living a healthy lifestyle, having good dietary practices can also help increase the health of your lungs. Certain fruits contain antioxidants and vitamins that are necessary to keep your lungs healthy and disease free.
Lung Repair
People who consume a diet that consists of large amounts of apples and tomatoes are less likely to develop lung problems. According to Science Daily, researchers speculate that the lung benefits may come from the antioxidants in the apple’s peel and in the tomatoes' coloring. When juicing apples or tomatoes, clean them thoroughly and keep the skin on to retain as many nutrients as possible. Alternatively, you can blend the apple whole into a fruit smoothie.
Reduce Lung Cancer Risk
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Fruit juice that contains dark berries such as raspberries, blackberries or blueberries, may help to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer. Those berries contain antioxidants, which protect cells from free radical damage. According to the book “Super Fruits,” consuming berries as part of a regular healthy diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease by 20 percent. In addition, berries contain anthocyanins, which lower the risk of developing lung cancer.
Reduce COPD Risk
According to Science Daily, eating one-and-a-half pieces of fruit per day or a large tablespoon of vegetables everyday can protect against emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a condition that is caused by chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Science Daily, states that 15 percent of smokers develop COPD. Chronic bronchial asthma, bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis are classified as forms of COPD.
Considerations
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Adding omega-3 fatty acid foods such as nuts or flaxseeds can help reduce the risk of lung inflammation, which can lead to lung disease. According to the Maryland Medical Center, Omega-3 fatty acids lower the risk of inflammation, heart diseases, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
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References
- SuperFruits; Paul Gross
- Science Daily; Science News
- American Lung Association: Protecting Your Lungs
Writer Bio
April Khan is a medical journalist who began writing in 2005. She has contributed to publications such as "BBC Focus." In 2012, Khan received her Doctor of Public Health from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She also holds an Associate of Arts from the Art Institute of Dallas and a Master of Science in international health from University College London.