Diet Plan for Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of your airways. Shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest pain or tightness are the common symptoms you may experience when having an asthma attack. Environmental substances in the air and food can trigger asthma attacks. There is no cure for asthma, but a diet plan that avoids certain foods and increases antioxidants may help you reduce your risk of asthma attacks.

Size

An estimated 6.5 million children representing 8.9 percent of all children, and 15.7 million adults representing 7.2 percent of all adults, are diagnosed with asthma in the United States. Among asthmatics, 12.2 million or approximately 55 percent experience at least one attack per year. Although the prevalence of asthma diagnosis among females is 50 percent higher than for males, prevalence for an asthma attack for boys is 30 percent higher than for girls.

Eliminate Food Triggers

Certain foods and substances can trigger an asthma attack. Sulfites used to preserve foods, such as dried fruits, shrimp, wine and bottled lemon and lime juices, have been demonstrated to cause asthma attacks. Inhaling sulfur dioxide from sulfite-containing foods can induce an asthma attack. Asthmatics who are also diagnosed with food allergies may experience an asthma attack after exposure to milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, fish, shellfish and tree nuts. Food ingredients, such as preservatives, colors, flavors and sweeteners, may trigger an asthma attack, although the evidence is not conclusive. The best way for you to avoid food-triggered asthma is to eliminate or avoid the food or substance from your diet. Read food labels before eating any product.

Avoid Acidic Foods

Acidic foods that cause heartburn and are associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD, may also trigger asthma attacks. GERD is a condition that is characterized by your stomach acids backing up into your throat. Research by Dr. Ryuichi Takenaka published in "Allergologia et Immunopathologia" in 2010 discovered that between 34 to 89 percent of adult asthmatics report experiencing symptoms of GERD. The research also found there is a significant correlation between GERD and severity of coughing associated with asthma. Reduce your risk of GERD and consequential asthma attacks by avoiding acidic foods such as caffeine, alcohol, citrus fruits, onions, garlic, mint, tomato sauce, soda, and fatty and fried foods.

Increase Antioxidants

Consume fruits, vegetables, nuts and other foods high in antioxidants to boost your immune system, enhance lung function and reduce asthma symptoms. Insufficient dietary intake of fruit and antioxidants and low blood levels of vitamin C are associated with wheezing and other asthma symptoms, according to research by Dr. Bela Patel published in "Thorax" in 2006. Eating a high amount of fresh fruits and vegetables twice per day along with moderate amounts of nuts, legumes, whole grains, olive oil and fish are characteristic of a Mediterranean diet that can protect you from asthma symptoms, according to research by Dr. Leda Chatzi published in "Thorax" in 2007.