Eat these foods to keep your lungs healthy

While a lot has already been written and discussed, about how to protect yourself from the ill-effects of the toxins in the air, it is also important to know that it is actually the lungs that are the most affected by such air conditions. Once the body is exposed to the polluted air, a lot of toxins and other harmful gasses are inhaled along with oxygen. This results in the development of mucus around the lungs, which gives a feeling of heaviness and irritability in breathing. This mucus is prone to catch pathogens and microbes that further deteriorate respiratory health. For a healthy body and overall good health, it is important to have a healthy respiratory system which is enabled by clear, mucus free lungs and airways. Exposure to polluted air and toxins often increase the stress on heart and lungs, which further affect the supply of oxygen in the body, it makes one susceptible to cardiovascular diseases and respiratory disorders, it also places you at an increased risk of asthma, bronchitis and even some types of cancers. Such kind of exposure to pollution is especially critical for people with heart diseases, asthma, elderly people and pregnant women. While cautious residents of the city are already adopting some preventive measures like pollution masks, staying indoors and using air purifiers, there is another effective and easy method that can be adopted to fight the toxins in the air.

Diet plays an important role in balancing the harmful effects of pollution and keeping the lungs healthy and fit. In fact, including these foods in your daily diet can help in filtering out the toxins from the lungs. Lungs form the centre of our respiratory systems and as the air quality index rises at an alarming rate. We must do everything we can do to protect the essential organ. Here's a list of 7 foods that will help you cleanse your lungs naturally.

One of the most common effects of prolonged smoke inhalation is the inflammation in the lungs. Green tea carries essential anti-oxidants that help in reducing the inflammation caused by inhaling smoke in the air.

The one cure to all the health-related problems is by increasing the intake of water. The intake of water and fluids is more essential than ever in these environmental conditions. Water is the most effective tool to naturally flush out all the toxins from the body. After exposure to pollution, water intake must be increased even more than usual.

Turmeric is an effective treatment for cold and cough, majorly because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Consumption of turmeric helps reduce the inflammation in the lungs and even breaks down the mucus formation.

Ginger also helps in breaking down the mucus formed around the lungs and helps in easy breathing. It even reduces inflammation in the airways and respiratory tracts.

The apple that kept the doctor away, comes to rescue once again! Yes, rich in anti-oxidants, it is more essential now than ever to include apple in your diet as it helps reduce inflammation of the lungs and also keeps other cardiovascular diseases at bay.

The everyday vegetable of tomato is great for lung health as it contains compounds that slow down the wear and tear of lungs. Tomatoes also help in clearing in respiratory airways, in turn, reducing the risk of diseases like asthma and other respiratory disorders.

Jaggery has been used for ages to fight the toxins in the air. People working in industries with hazardous air conditions are given a jaggery every day for regulated breathing. Since the air nowadays a no less than an industrial hazard, consuming a jaggery everyday can increase the oxygen supply in the body and undo the damage done by the pollutants in the air.

Basil or tulsi is also known as ‘Queen of herbs’ and ‘wonder herb’ and rightly so. The tulsi plant purifies the air and makes it toxin-free. Apart from that, tulsi is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that work wonders to boost immunity and reduce the damage caused to lungs due to smoke. Tulsi improves respiratory health by reducing congestion and blockage in the airways and lungs.