Bronchitis

The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.

• Elimination Diet

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  Allergies to certain foods may contribute to bronchitis. An elimination diet can help you identify potentially harmful foods.

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  Elimination Diet

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  Food and environmental allergies may be triggering factors in some cases of chronic bronchitis.³⁴ Cows’ milk allergy has been associated with bronchitis in children,^35,36,37 and some doctors believe that dairy products may increase mucus production and, therefore, that people suffering from either acute or chronic bronchitis should limit their intake of dairy products. Ingestion of simple sugars (such as sucrose or fructose) can lead to suppression of immune function;³⁸ therefore, some doctors believe simple sugars should be avoided during illness.

• Fruit and Vegetables

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  A diet high in antioxidants, as found in fruits and vegetables, may protect against the free-radical damage that occurs from toxins in the lungs.

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  Fruit and Vegetables

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  In people with bronchitis, lipids in the lung tissue may undergo oxidation damage (also called free-radical damage), particularly when the bronchitis is a result of exposure to environmental toxins or cigarette smoke. A diet high in antioxidants may protect against the free radical-damaging effect of these toxins. Studies comparing different populations have shown that increasing fruit and vegetable (and therefore, antioxidant) consumption may reduce the risk of developing chronic bronchitis.^39,40