After the coronavirus reached pandemic sizes, countless health experts from all over the world are encouraging people to practice social distancing, and wash their hands in order to prevent the spread of the virus. As useful as those preventive actions are, most people tend to forget that COVID-19 first attacks the respiratory system, meaning our lungs.
Therefore, taking proper care of our lungs is also crucial since washing hands is an ineffective measure if our lungs are not sufficiently healthy to battle any infections on its own. Fortunately, the Nature provided us with a lot of nutritious foods, all of which can help our lungs and organs stay healthy and, therefore, able to withstand any type of conditions, including the novel coronavirus, as per MedicalDaily. If you want to know how you can protect your lung health, here is what to consume.
Best Foods for Healthy Lungs
Apples
Apples are widely known to be extremely healthy and can also keep us safe in the face of the coronavirus. This is due to the fact that apples are rich in phytochemicals that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which, in turn, can help improve our pulmonary function.
Leafy Greens
Leafy green vegetables like spinach, arugula, and kale are all abounding in important nutrients such as fiber, minerals, antioxidants, as well as vitamins that support lung health.
Green Tea
Green tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that have been demonstrated to aid in repressing lung cancer cell growth in numerous studies. Moreover, regular intake of green tea is also known to reduce the probability of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary conditions.
Garlic
Garlic has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics that can also aid in protecting the lungs against oxidative stress. It has also been proved to help reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.
Salmon
A few studies have also included salmon on the list of healthy and nutritious foods to consume when aiming for good health. Salmon is allegedly a good source of inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids able to keep healthy lungs.