7 Plant-based Foods That Enhance Respiration Health

Plant-based foods are known for enhancing breathing. Breathing is an integral part of life and is mostly needed to supply oxygen to the cells in your body, and it is also how carbon dioxide waste is removed from the body. I am connecting foods and respiration here because of my experience with a breathing disorder.

My Story

In 2018, I got one of the biggest scares of my life. One evening between 7 and 8 pm, I was sitting in a parked car chatting with friends when suddenly I started to feel extremely hot. I asked the driver to wind up the window and turn on the air conditioner, which he did. Shortly after, I became so uncomfortable.

My chest felt tight, and I started experiencing shortness of breath. I felt no pain, just had difficulty breathing, so they took me to the closest doctor, who referred me to the hospital, where I was admitted and did numerous tests. The long and short of it is that the cause was revealed, and of course, a ton of medication was prescribed.

I am not an expert in medicine or nutrition. However, I felt that aerobic exercises and a change in my diet would help me heal better and faster. As professionals, we tend to focus more on work and care less for our health. 

This scare motivated me to research what plant-based foods would enhance my respiration. Yes, it has been years, but I keep up-to-date with blogs and podcasts for information about plant-based foods and other tips to keep me in a healthy state. 

Plant-based Foods

Many types of plant-based food can help with the body’s respiration, but I am sharing with you seven foods that promote respiration. I will reference and link sources for your information. Hope you will find the following information beneficial and will add these plant-based foods and other super-foods that benefit your overall health.

Turmeric

Turmeric is often used to promote overall health due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Curcumin, the main active component in turmeric, may be especially beneficial for supporting lung function. Source: Healthline.

Blueberries

“These blue beauties are a source of the flavonoid anthocyanin, an antioxidant that protects the lungs as we age. A 2018 study presented at the American Thoracic Society meeting in San Diego showed evidence of the flavonoids in lung tissue a few hours after consumption,” says Andrews. While more research is needed, initial studies suggest that the antioxidants found in blueberries may also play a role in lessening COPD progression or symptoms. I am citing EatWell.

Broccoli

Scientists at John Hopkins Medicine Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences made it their mission to understand the disease-deterring benefits of a compound found in broccoli. The compound, Sulforaphane, is plentiful in broccoli. It produces protective enzymes that might protect against asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other respiratory illnesses. This information is from Power Breathe.

Eucalyptus

According to my source at VOGUE, “It relaxes bronchial muscles and calms the parasympathetic nervous system. According to Payal Kothari, integrative nutritionist and gut health coach, eucalyptus its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it a good remedy for congestion. To clear up a blocked nose and release phlegm immediately, power a regular steam inhalation with a few drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil. The oil reacts with mucous membranes, thinning and helping loosen them so you can cough them up. Kothari recommends misting your pillow with eucalyptus oil for some peaceful sleep. It’s important to note that eucalyptus oil should always be inhaled, never ingested.” – Read more here.

Peppers

Peppers are amongst the richest sources of vitamin C, a water-soluble nutrient that is a powerful antioxidant in your body. Getting enough vitamin C is especially important for those who smoke. In fact, due to the damaging effects of cigarette smoke on your body’s antioxidant stores, it’s recommended that people who smoke consume an extra 35 mg of vitamin C daily. However, many studies show that smokers may benefit from higher doses of vitamin C and that smokers with high vitamin C intake have better lung function than those with lower vitamin C intake. Consuming just one medium-sized (119-gram) sweet red pepper delivers 169% of the recommended intake for vitamin C. I am citing Healthline.

Garlic 

Garlic is a classic superfood. It’s used to add flavor to many different dishes. Garlic’s superpower comes from a substance called allicin. Allicin has many positive effects on the body, including boosting immunity and possibly helping to prevent certain diseases. It turns out that garlic may have special benefits for the lungs.

A study published in 2013 evaluated the effects of garlic on the lungs. Specifically, the study wanted to know if eating garlic could help prevent lung cancer. They found that eating raw garlic regularly, two or more times a week, appeared to decrease the chance of lung cancer. Further research would be needed to prove this. However, the results are promising.

Additionally, it’s been suggested that garlic may help prevent bacterial lung infections. A 2017 study showed that the chemical allicin found in garlic might kill some of the harmful bacteria that cause lung infections. This study must be repeated in humans but shows interesting and possibly useful results.

It’s important to note that the 2013 study and many others examined using raw garlic. Raw garlic seems to have more powerful effects than cooked or sauteed. One reason may be that when garlic is chopped, its special chemical allicin is released in higher amounts. 

Learn more at Respiratory Therapy Zone.

Pomegranates

In this short video by Respiratory Therapy Zone, you will learn “How to BOOST Your Lungs with Pomegranates.” According to them, “Pomegranates are loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and protect your cells from free radicals and oxidative damage. Any time we can reduce inflammation, it can benefit all major organs, including the lungs. Ultimately, this helps reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even certain types of cancer.”

Finally

Now that you can identify plant-based foods that help in respiratory health, I hope you are motivated to add them to your diet. Respiration is one of the essential aspects of our daily life, and it is really important to keep your body healthy. I hope you enjoyed this article, and please don’t forget to share it with others so they, too, can learn about the health benefits of these plant-based foods.

Remember that all work and no play will make you a dull girl/boy. So now that you are boosting your health with plant-based foods let’s get some good activity in the mix. It’s Time to Play. Book your next adventure with CHUKKA. 

Visit HEALTH BY QUEEN GEE for more about the benefits of plant-based foods and other health and wellness tips.

Love always from Queen Gee!