Healing Foods for Asthma
Citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, and other foods high in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to stop the release of histamine, the chemical in your body that causes the wheezing, watery eyes and a runny nose. Vitamin C is a great nutrient for people who suffer with asthma. Foods high in Vitamin C also contain flavonoids, which work to block the release of histamines. Vegetables like red bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, cantaloupe, grapefruit, kiwi, oranges, papayas, strawberries, sweet potatoes and tomatoes are all excellent sources of vitamin C.
Citrus peels contains limonene, a chemical that may helps reduce asthma attacks, especially those triggered by air pollution. Limonene may work by saturating the cells in your lungs to protect them against ozone. Folding a citrus peel between your fingers will release a small cloud of aromatic compounds that contain limonene. Grate lemon, orange or grapefruit peel into stir-fry, bread and cake batter to lighten the flavour and to add limonene to your diet. Use marmalade on your toast. Other benefits of limonene have been linked to help preventing breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
Caffeinated drinks have also been found to relieve some asthma symptoms. Doctors have compared the effects of caffeine and theophylline (a bronchodilator used in inhalers for asthma) and found that caffeine works as well as or even better than the drugs to reduce asthma symptoms. Coffee, tea, caffeinated soda, cocoa, and dark chocolate all contain theophylline and theobromine both anti asthmatic compounds.
(Talk to your doctor and follow their advice before trying any new foods – Asthma is a life threatening.)
Onions, garlic, and leeks. Onions and onion juice have compounds in them called thiosulfinates and cepaenes. Both compounds have been known to help reduce inflammation. Onions are also very rich in quercetin, another anti-inflammatory compound. People have been known two use onion and garlic for asthma for centuries. Adding onions and garlic is a simple as adding a clove to salads, soups, tomato sauce, chilli, or stews.
Other foods to try:
Low Fat Foods
Salmon and other fatty fish for the Omega 3 Fatty acids
Brazil Nuts for the selenium
Cereal, bananas, potatoes and Vitamin B6
Magnesium Rich Foods
Honey
Parsley
Spinach and wheat germ for the vitamin E
