Our body constantly needs a sufficient amount of oxygen to stay healthy and for this, your lungs must keep working optimally. However, the researchers point out, the risk of several lung-related diseases has increased significantly over the past decade due to lifestyle, environmental, and dietary issues.
The researchers found that due to the corona epidemic, negative effects have been seen on this organ in many ways, all people need to make continuous efforts to keep it healthy.
In research on how to keep the lungs healthy, scientists have found that including certain types of vegetables in the diet can be very beneficial for lung health. Vegetables like broccoli and kale are not only loved around the world for their fiber but they have also been found to have compounds that may help you reduce the risk of lung infections.
Some vegetables will keep the lungs healthy
According to the study published in the journal Nature, including certain types of vegetables in the diet can not only keep the lungs healthy, but it can also have benefits in reducing the risks of many pre-existing diseases.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute in London have discovered that certain compounds in greens and vegetables from the cruciferous family can boost proteins that are essential for a healthy gut and lungs.
Cruciferous family vegetables are very beneficial
When we consume these leafy vegetables, cabbage or cauliflower, and other cruciferous foods, they send signals to a protein called aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) found in the blood vessels of our lungs, the researchers explained. This ensures a healthy environment in our lungs, which can be beneficial in keeping the internal systems healthy as well as protecting against the risks of external infections.
What did the study find?
Researchers tested this by infecting mice with the flu virus and found that those consuming a diet rich in cruciferous compounds had less lung damage. AHR helped prevent lung blockages from leaking, which reduced the risk of lung infections.
Dr. John Tregoning, an infectious disease specialist at Imperial College, said: "This study is important because it gives us new insights into how we can protect lung cells from damage following a viral infection.
What do researchers say?
The study findings add to the role of vegetables in reducing pulmonary and lung diseases, says Joseph Khabbaja, MD, critical care and pulmonary medicine specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. We can reduce such risks to a great extent, from leakage of fluid into the airways to keeping patients on ventilators.
While people who don't have a healthy diet may be at higher risk of a variety of inflammatory diseases, this study shows that it's important to stay healthy before you get sick and practice healthy behaviors when you do get sick, says Khabbaja.
(PC: Freepik)
