Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the airways (bronchi) which carry air in and out of the lungs. It is a chronic disease that causes symptoms like difficulty in breathing, wheezing, coughing and a tight chest. Though the severity of the symptom differs from person to person, it can be controlled in most of cases. Individual with asthma have inflamed and sensitive bronchi unlike in normal person.
And when any irritants like house dust mites, fur, pollen, tobacco smoke, cold air come in contact with lungs, it trigger asthma attach. Most of the cases of asthma can be treated with medication and inhalers. It has been noticed that consuming certain foods also control asthma. Some of the foods that help to lower asthma symptoms are described below.
Top 5 Foods that Cure Asthma
Green Leafy Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables are widely known to be the storehouse of vitamins and minerals. Doctors often suggest consuming green leafy vegetables on daily basic to cure most of the disease. Some of the vegetables like broccoli are also rich in antioxidant that helps to eliminate free radicals from the body. Free radicals have damaging effects on the cells and tissues of the body which causes several diseases.
In case of asthma, vitamin E and selenium together improves blood circulation and reduce inflammation. Foods rich in vitamin E are beans and vegetable oils. Vegetables such as tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, kale, mustard greens and bell peppers contain antioxidant which reduces the inflammation in asthma patient.
Fruits
Similar to vegetables, fruits are also a rich source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has been studied that consuming fruits like grapes, oranges, apples and bananas tremendously reduces the asthmatic symptoms in children. Doctors suggests to add variety of colored fruits in diet regularly as fruits taken this way will provide maximum antioxidant benefits to the body.
Fruits that are especially rich in antioxidant are cherries, berries, oranges, grapefruit, grapes, watermelon, papaya, and apples. Therefore, including these fruits in diet significantly minimizes the symptoms of asthma.
Fish
Fish contains omega-3 fatty acid which is considered as an important aspect for treating asthma naturally. So, consuming fish regularly also helps to reduce asthma symptoms. According to a research, consuming fish atleast three times a week is beneficial for asthma patient.Fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acid are cold water fish, salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines. Vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acid are walnut, walnut oil, canola oil, and flaxseeds.
Garlic
Garlic is used to treat asthma since ages. With high content of vitamin A, C, zinc and potassium, garlic is very effective for the treatment of asthma.Due to antibiotic property, garlic relief the symptoms of asthma including other respiratory problems. Garlic is also anti-inflammatory in nature which helps to reduce inflammation in the bronchi.
Legumes
Legumes are good source of protein and fiber along with vitamin and minerals. Legumes are plant source of protein which provide balanced amount of protein to the body with low fat and cholesterol.So it is beneficiary for asthma patients as they are advised to take less protein than regular individual. Consuming legumes such as lentils, black beans, red beans, white beans, garbanzo beans and kidney furnish the body with protein and antioxidant required to fight asthma.
