Essential Nutrition for Optimal Lung Health

The lungs play a crucial role in keeping our body functioning properly, but factors like environmental pollutants, unhealthy habits, and conditions such as COPD, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis can impair their function over time. Incorporating nutrient-rich foods into your diet is an effective strategy to support lung health and ease related symptoms.

Discover the top foods that bolster lung wellness.

Bananas
Rich in potassium, bananas help improve lung capacity and function. Potassium supports fluid balance, blood pressure regulation, and digestion—all vital for healthy lungs. Studies suggest higher potassium intake, especially in childhood, enhances lung development.

Beetroot
Beets are packed with beneficial nutrients like nitrates, magnesium, and potassium, which relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and enhance oxygen absorption—key to better lung performance.

Turmeric
The bright yellow spice contains curcumin, a compound with strong anti-inflammatory effects. Regular use of turmeric can reduce airway inflammation and ease asthma symptoms, promoting lung health.

Apples
Apples contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory qualities. Consuming five or more apples weekly may slow lung function decline and lessen the risk of lung diseases like cancer and asthma.

Tomatoes
High in lycopene, potassium, and vitamin C, tomatoes support immune health and improve lung function. Regular intake can decrease airway inflammation, benefiting those with lung impairments.

It's important to combine a nutritious diet with medical treatments for lung conditions. For example, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is commonly treated with FDA-approved medications like Esbriet® (pirfenidone), which help slow disease progression. Lung cancer treatments such as IMFINZI® (durvalumab) and GAVRETO (pralsetinib) are also available, targeting specific cancer types and reducing tumor growth.