There is no specific diet for people with asthma and other lung problems. However, when certain foods are eaten in some cases, they can also experience worsening of asthma: for example, foods that contain irritants. This is especially true of allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis.

According to ALA , the American Association for Lung Health, for example, there are specific foods and drinks that those with asthma or lung problems should avoid, after making other lifestyle changes first. Such as, for example, quitting smoking and avoiding staying in poorly ventilated rooms, also paying attention to places such as the home and office.

So let’s see in this article what are the correlations between diet and asthma and what are the foods to avoid in particular.

DIET AND ASTHMA: WHAT ARE THE FOODS TO AVOID

In case of asthma, the foods to avoid belong to this category.

1. Foods that contain sulphites.

   Sulphites are a class of additives, including sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite or sodium bisulfite that can be found in preserved and canned foods, wines, juices, pickles, etc. Generally in these foods we find the indication on the label: it may contain sulphites (or traces of sulphites).
   Sulphites for example are used in wines to prevent souring. There are obviously wines with very low traces of sulfur dioxide, such as biodynamic wines or terroir wines . According to a study, especially white wine increases the episodes of asthma in those who suffer from it.

2. Foods that contain salicylates.

   Salicylates mainly refer to those drugs based on salicylic acid (for example aspirin). However salicylates are also found in nature, in the form of antinutrients that we find in fruit and vegetables or other foods of plant origin. These substances accumulate and are linked to a range of symptoms, from skin disorders to intestinal disorders to respiratory symptoms.
   For example, studies have been done linking salicylic acid to an exacerbation of respiratory disorders such as sinusitis or asthma. For example, asthma sufferers can try to limit apples, berries, oranges, pineapples, plums and grapes or peaches. Ok instead the golden apples, bananas, pears. Salicitate is also present in cooked tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, courgettes and broccoli, dried chillies, oil seeds such as sesame and chestnuts. They are also found in hot spices in general, in tea and coffee. But even the oil contains a lot of it, while ghee and quality butter contain it in minimal doses.

3. Fast food.

   Those who consume fast food, rotisserie food, Chinese food and the like, have three times a greater risk of more severe symptoms of asthma and respiratory disease, although no single cause has been found, but the foods mentioned are likely to contain a variety substances or additives that aggravate symptoms.

DIET AND ASTHMA: WHICH ARE THE FOODS TO PREFER

Foods rich in vitamin D, such as cheeses, mushrooms, meat offal and especially liver, oily fish, crustaceans, egg yolks, are supportive for all those who suffer from asthma and are often subject to contracting flu and seasonal diseases.

Even selenium, for example contained in fish, in some seeds such as walnuts, in selenium potatoes, in poultry and whole grains, is useful for stimulating the immune defenses in respiratory syndromes.

Foods rich in vitamin C and vitamin E, the “scavenger” vitamins with antioxidant action, are also to be rewarded. We find vitamin C in lemon, citrus fruits in general, pomegranate, peppers, parsley, kiwi. Vitamin E in almonds, potatoes, butter, fatty fish, breakfast cereals, egg (yolk), cereal germ (oat, wheat) and wholemeal products.