Maintaining healthy lungs is essential to maintaining a good quality of life. There are foods that you can include in your diet that have been found to maintain and even improve the health of your lungs. A study by researchers at the University of Buffalo, which was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2002, found that fruits and vegetables high in carotenoids and vitamins C and E are associated with strong respiratory function.
Red Bell Pepper
Red bell pepper contains more vitamin C than most fruits and vegetables. It also contains high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, the carotenoids credited with improving lung function.
Pumpkin
The researchers at the University of Buffalo credited fruits and vegetables that are red, green, and orange as contributors to healthy lungs because they are high in carotenoids. Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin C and it contains the antioxidants that improve lung health.
Kale
Kale is a leading source of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. Half a cup of kale contains 21,900 mg of lutein. This leafy green is also high in Vitamin C, which is another contributor to healthy lungs.
Swiss Chard
Half a cup of Swiss chard contains 11000 mg of lutein. This dark, leafy green vegetable is full of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and E.
Brussels Sprouts
While this vegetable may be associated with bad memories of cleaning your plate as a child, you may want to reintroduce Brussels sprouts into your diet. Brussels sprouts are very high in vitamin C and are another great source of lutein and zeaxanthin.
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