10 Foods That Cause Breathing Issues

10 Foods That Cause Breathing Issues

The air we breathe is full of pollutants such as car exhaust, fragrances, chemicals, and pollution, all things that can cause breathing issues. If you also suffer from a health condition like COPD or asthma, breathing can become a serious challenge for some people. Believe it or not, many breathing problems can also be worsened by what we eat. Some foods are excellent for lung and respiratory health, while others can add to our issues.
Here’s a list of foods you should avoid if you have COPD, asthma, or other breathing troubles:

1. Gluten
Gluten can cause an increase in mucus production, which is hard on the lungs. The increased amount of fluid in the airways makes breathing more difficult. If you have preexisting breathing issues, gluten could trigger more severe symptoms. An asthma inhaler can help to decrease inflammation around your airways, but it is still best to avoid foods high in gluten.

2. Lettuce
Lettuce contains a chemical called lactucarium, which causes respiratory depression when combined with asthma medications. When lactucarium is combined with other medicines, it can cause symptoms of depression, as well as increased risk of heart conditions and breathing problems. So if you deal with asthma or COPD, lettuce should likely be avoided.

3. Sugar
Sugar causes inflammation in your body, which leads to high blood pressure, a condition which makes breathing more difficult. This happens because hypertension (high blood pressure) causes the fluid around our lungs to increase, making the airways smaller than they should be. This inflammation makes breathing more challenging, especially if you already have respiratory issues.

4. Milk products
Dairy products like milk and cheese are difficult to digest for most people, commonly causing gas and bloating. Dairy also produces excessive mucus in the respiratory tract, which will make it more difficult to breathe.

5. Alcoholic beverages
Alcohol of all sorts inhibits our ability to remove carbon dioxide from our system, making us retain oxygen while we’re sleeping at night. (This explains waking up tired after a night of too many drinks.) Certain drinks, especially wines, can cause breathing issues.

6. Acidic foods
Acidic foods such as oranges, grapefruit, and tomatoes increase the acidity level of saliva. This makes it difficult to swallow, because you’re constantly producing saliva while eating these things. The more often you eat these acidic foods, the more they might impact your breathing conditions.

7. Chocolate or cocoa powder
Chocolate and cocoa powder contain a chemical called theobromine, which stimulates the central nervous system and heart muscles. People who have problems breathing should avoid these foods because they can trigger asthma attacks or other respiratory issues.

8. Wheat
Wheat contains gluten, a protein that naturally occurs in this grain. Gluten can cause problems with breathing if you have a gluten allergy, or if your digestive system lacks the enzyme that breaks gluten down.

9. Shellfish
Shellfish (like shrimp, mussels, clams, crab, and lobster) contain compounds that cause inflammation in the respiratory system. If you have any food allergies or sensitivities, this is one type of food to avoid because it will worsen breathing problems over time.

10. Eggs
Eggs are another food to avoid if you have allergies or sensitivities. Eggs contain a protein called albumin-globulin, which causes respiratory problems and skin issues. If you are sensitive to eggs, they can cause breathing problems.