7. Tomato and Tomato Products
One of the best sources of lycopene, the carotenoid antioxidant associated with better lung health, is tomatoes. Eating tomatoes or tomato-based products can minimize airway inflammation in those who deal with asthma.
And not just people with asthma benefit from tomatoes, but people with COPD too.
A recent study involving 105 people who struggled with asthma demonstrated that a high tomato intake was linked to improved asthma control. Additionally, a high tomato intake was also associated with a slower lung function decline in those who used to smoke.
8. Green Tea
Green tea hosts a plethora of health benefits, all of which are linked to epigallocatechin gallate. Epigallocatechin gallate is a catechin found in green tea that has anti-inflammatory properties that are responsible for inhibiting fibrosis.
People with pulmonary fibrosis should definitely sip more green tea, as it can even protect lung tissue. In fact, a study goes even further, saying that epigallocatechin gallate may help treat pulmonary fibrosis.
See also: 9 Proven Benefits of Green Tea
Last year, a study involving 20 pulmonary fibrosis patients discovered that treatment with epigallocatechin gallate extract taken for approximately two weeks minimized fibrosis markers.
