There is nothing you can eat or drink that can cleanse your lungs. But you can promote healthy lung function by following a healthy lifestyle
Although cleansing and detox drinks have become increasingly popular, with concoctions of lemon juice, honey, spices, and other herbs circulating social media, there is nothing you can eat or drink that can cleanse your lungs.
None of these drinks have any supportive evidence whatsoever to prove their effectiveness. Some may not even be safe to consume. In fact, drinking too much of these types of concoctions can cause electrolyte imbalances, unstable blood sugar levels, and muscle cramps. They may particularly be unsafe for people with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and kidney diseases.
Your lungs are designed to clean themselves through various mechanisms, such as mucus production, the sweeping effect of microscopic hair or cilia, and the cough reflex. Specialized immune cells in the lungs help keep you healthy by killing disease-causing organisms.
By following a healthy lifestyle and seeking medical help when needed, you can help maximize your lungs’ ability to function efficiently.
6 ways to keep your lungs healthy
- Quit smoking or vaping: Quitting smoking is perhaps one of the best ways to improve your lung health. Smoking harms almost every organ in the body, since inhaling harmful substances can cause inflammation and structural damage to the lungs. Smoking has been associated with several lung diseases, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer. Even e-cigarettes or vaping can cause lung damage.
- Avoid secondhand smoke: The smoke you inhale from other people’s cigarettes can affect your lung health as well . Studies have shown that smoke coming from the end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe (sidestream smoke) is unfiltered compared to the smoke breathed out by the person who is smoking (mainstream smoke). Sidestream smoke contains more harmful toxins than mainstream smoke and is thus more damaging to the lungs
- Protect yourself from lung infections: Practice respiratory hygiene and avoid close contact with people who have signs of respiratory infections, such as a runny nose or cough. Get regular vaccine shots including pneumonia and flu vaccines.
- Protect yourself from pollution: Although outdoor air pollution is a common concern, indoor air can also be bad for your lungs. You can check the local air quality index online at airnow.gov. Try to keep your indoor air clean by regularly vacuuming your home and using a high efficiency particulate air or HEPA filter. Get your indoor air checked for a toxic gas called radon. You can get the testing details on the U.S. Environment Protection Agency website.
- Get regular exercise: Exercising regularly can help improve your lung function. People with chronic lung diseases may ask their doctor to suggest suitable physical activities, including breathing exercises.
- Eat a healthy diet: Eating an antioxidant-rich diet helps you prevent and recover from chronic diseases including lung conditions. To maintain your overall health including lung health, consume fruits and vegetables, opt for whole grains over refined grains, drink plenty of water, and avoid processed foods.
SLIDESHOW
COPD Foods to Boost Your Health - COPD Diet Tips See SlideshowWhat are the signs of lung disease?
To keep your lungs healthy and prevent diseases, it’s important to know when to seek medical help. The most common signs of lung disease include:
- Chronic cough (that lasts for 8 weeks or more)
- Difficulty or pain when breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing or noisy breathing
- Chronic mucus production (for a month or more)
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Persistent chest pain
More Health News »References
Image Source: iStock Images
Cohen M. Lung Detox: Can You Cleanse Your Lungs? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/features/lung-detox-facts
American Lung Association. Can You Detox Your Lungs? https://www.lung.org/blog/can-you-detox-your-lungs
