4 foods that may cause breathing issues
A balanced food regime can go a long way in keeping your body healthy and strong. But, when living with certain conditions, there are some foods that can affect your health negatively. They can worsen and aggravate symptoms, and cause flare-ups. When it comes to lung conditions such as asthma, eating certain foods can impact your overall health, make you feel weak, affect your day-to-day functioning, and even lead to breathing troubles.
Processed meat
There have been multiple studies that have linked processed meats to poor and impaired functioning of the lungs. Processed meats have also been associated with a high risk of developing conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Although more research is needed, experts attribute the high levels of nitrates in processed meats to breathing troubles. Nitrates are used to preserve meat and have been shown to cause damage to the tissues in the lungs. Besides this, processed meats also contain high levels of saturated fats. This can increase bad cholesterol in the body and lead to the development of cardiovascular conditions.
Carbonated drinks
Carbonated drinks are one of the foods that can trigger breathing troubles. They can even lead to flare-ups and symptoms of breathing conditions such as asthma and COPD. This is because carbonated drinks and juices are infused with carbon dioxide. When consumed, it can lead to bloating and the development of gas in the belly. This can actually affect a person’s breathing capabilities because the cavity in the chest only has a fixed amount of space. It can impact the room and space that one needs to breathe well. So, instead of opting for carbonated beverages, one can instead opt for herbal teas, juices, and non-carbonated drinks.
Foods with too much salt
Such foods should be avoided because salt causes the retention of water and other fluids in the body. This can increase the pressure of blood in the arteries and may lead to pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a common symptom of conditions like COPD. Doctors suggest keeping the salt intake in check by eating foods that have been marked as “low sodium.” You can also control your salt intake by preparing meals at home with fresh ingredients. This will help you avoid the usage of any preserved foods such as canned vegetables, meats, and even frozen foods.
Fried foods
Fried foods can also trigger breathing issues due to their high-fat content. Since there is excess fat, the body takes longer to break down and digest the foods. It can lead to gas, bloating, and even indigestion, which has been known to affect the breathing capabilities of an individual. Fried foods can also increase the risk of cholesterol and other heart conditions.