Coughing, wheezing, struggling for air – if you or someone you love suffers from COPD, you already know. But did you know that certain foods might be worsening these symptoms?
Because COPD can be caused by a cluster of conditions, such as chronic emphysema, it’s a little more complex than people think. Medical issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and even everyday fatigue may trigger your COPD, which is why food plays such a critical role.
You are what you eat, and since nutrition and diet are linked to so many conditions, it’s no wonder they also affect COPD.
Fortunately, it doesn’t take any major, life-altering changes. Eating healthy is simply a daily habit. Once you get the momentum going, it’s basically second nature. The hardest part is starting!
So let’s start with those aspects of your diet that you can eliminate. Here are 6 foods you may not realize are triggering your COPD.
1. Salty Soups
Excessive sodium is bad for anyone, but especially for people with COPD. Processed and frozen foods like soups, beans, pizza, and chips can all be loaded with salt, so cutting down on these foods is critical.
When individuals with COPD ingest too much salt, their bodies retain fluid, which can trigger high blood pressure in their lung arteries, worsening symptoms.
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2. Alcohol
Look, there’s nothing wrong with having an adult beverage or two from time to time. Especially when your stress levels are high. But you have to be mindful. Drinking regularly and binge drinking are linked to all kinds of health problems.
For sufferers of COPD, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to respiratory illnesses such as