Approximately 1 in 13 people in the United States have asthma, a long-term condition that causes narrowing of the airways and excess mucus production. Symptoms generally include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Asthma is usually treated with asthma medication, but many lifestyle changes can also help manage the condition. For example, many people use a quiet pure air filter for asthma or make modifications to their diet, such as avoiding the following 5 foods:
1. Dairy products
One of the most common triggers for asthma attacks are allergic reactions. In addition to gluten, soya, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, and shellfish, milk is one of the most common food allergens. You should avoid dairy products in general if you have a milk allergy, and you should take even further care to avoid these products if you also have asthma. Moreover, even if you don’t have a milk allergy, avoiding dairy products can potentially help alleviate asthma symptoms. Certain dairy products, especially yogurt and mature cheese, contain histamine, which can cause symptoms similar to an allergic reaction, triggering worse asthma symptoms. Digesting milk also produces casomorphin, a peptide derived from the milk protein casein, which can increase mucus production in the lungs, worsening asthma symptoms.
2. Acidic foods and drinks
Acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits and juices, coffee, spicy foods, and tomato sauce, can contribute to acid reflux, in which stomach acid moves back into the esophagus, causing burning and discomfort. Though these conditions are primarily digestive and not respiratory, the close proximity of the esophagus to the windpipe means that the regurgutated acid can potentially irritate the airways and lungs and worsen asthma symptoms.
3. Cold cuts
The methods of preserving cold cuts, including salami, bologna, and other lunch meats, can often worsen asthma symptoms. Notably, most cold cuts are preserved using nitrates, which can generate nitrogen dioxide, nitrosonium, and dinitrogen trioxide. These can, in turn, cause nitrative and nitrosative stress in the lungs, leading to the development or worsening of chronic lung conditions. Moreover, smoked meats contain histamine, which is the same substance that is released when you have an allergic reaction.
4. Carbonated beverages
Carbonated beverages contain ingredients, such as sodium benzoate and high fructose corn syrup, that have been found to increase inflammation levels in the body, worsening asthma symptoms. Even if you try to avoid inflammatory sweeteners by drinking diet sodas, diet beverages often contain the artificial sweetener aspartame, which is known to cause allergic reactions. What’s more, carbonation can also lead to bloating and gas, which puts unnecessary pressure on the lungs, causing chest tightness and potential asthma flare-ups. Consuming carbonated beverages may even increase your risk of developing asthma in the first place, according to some studies, though you are likely safe if you have no other lung issues.
5. Salty foods
Some studies have correlated eating salty snacks with asthma in children, and there is some indication that eating less salt can reduce asthma symptoms, though more research is needed. Additionally, salt consumption causes water retention, which can lead to fluid building up in the lungs and resulting in breathing issues. More generally, salty, processed foods are usually high in unhealthy fat and can contribute to an increase in the amount of free fatty acids in the bloodstream, which can then lead to immune responses that trigger respiratory inflammation.
