Corona attacks lungs: Matcha tea, fruits, protein-rich diet can boost respiratory health

Up your lung immunity by consuming some of these superfoods.

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Matcha tea is known for its polyphenols that improves lung function.
As the coronavirus pandemic rages across the globe, numbers are rising despite the strict conditions of the lockdown being enforced in most countries. The lockdown in non containment zones has been partially lifted, allowing for economic activity to sputter back to life. At the same time, it is still a long battle ahead and precautions have to be taken. Among the organs the virus attacks are the lungs. Here are some foods that work best to safeguard one’s respiratory health.

Also: Want to stay fit during the pandemic? Ask nutritionists what to eat, when to exercise in this webinar

Fresh and green
The food we typically consume in India has a good combination of nutrients that help improve immunity and lung health, says Dr Samir Garde, a pulmonologist at Mumbai-based Global Hospital. “One should have a high protein diet,” he says. “Non-vegetarians can have egg whites, fish or chicken. Vegetarians can have grams and pulses. Beans, paneer and sprouts help improve the overall immunity of a person.” Freshly-cooked food is vital, as are fruits and vegetables. “Fruits have excellent antioxidant properties and they clean toxins from the body, especially the lungs. Lungs are always exposed to pollution, viruses, bacteria and our bodies are trying to filter that,” Dr Garde says.


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Protein helps keep the chest muscles strong that in turn helps the ribs expand as you breathe.

Super immune boosters
Jinal Patel, clinical nutritionist at Apollo Spectra hospital, Mumbai, suggests consuming Matcha, the green tea known for its polyphenols that improve lung function. She says, “Super foods like sweet potatoes and pears also help fight infections and strengthen immunity. Black cumin has anti-inflammatory properties and helps get more air to the lungs. Research has shown improvement in pulmonary function by consuming it.”

Deepika Padukone (L) has been cooking up Thai meals, including a vegetarian salad bowl, during quarantine. Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma (C) is a vegetarian and likes to mix foods to create his own dishes. Biocon executive chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (R) always includes fruit in her breakfast.
Deepika Padukone (L) has been cooking up Thai meals, including a vegetarian salad bowl, during quarantine. Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma (C) is a vegetarian and likes to mix foods to create his own dishes. Biocon executive chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (R) always includes fruit in her breakfast.

Balanced diet
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Shabana Mohamed Sameer, senior dietician at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai, advocates eating a nutritionally-balanced and varied diet. “Complex carbohydrates in whole cereals give the body energy for breathing. Protein helps keep the chest muscles strong that help the ribs expand as you breathe. Dairy products, legumes are good as are walnuts, flax seeds, nuts, whole grains and pumpkin seeds,” she says. The use of ginger, garlic and turmeric, which are part of most Indian household recipes, is also recommended. Drinking fresh lemon and orange juice can help too. “These work really well to kill the respiratory pathogens or viruses in the throat,” Dr Garde says.

Be Cautious This Season: Superfoods To Boost Immunity And Keep You Healthy
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Monsoon is here and so are the diseases. The change in season can result in various viral infections, flus and poor health conditions.



The tricky season can lead to various health problems like sore throat, itchy nose, sneeze, ceaseless cough, common cold, and many water-borne diseases like typhoid, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, diarrhoea, malaria and dengue.



While regular exercising and staying hydrated is important, it is crucial to consume the right foods to strengthen your immunity and beat the illness this season.



Dolly Kumar, founder and director of Gaia; Eesha Kanade, Obino's health coach; Luke Coutinho, MD in alternative medicine & holistic nutritionist; and holistic health guru Dr Mickey Mehta share a list of best immunity-boosting foods that will keep you healthy.

Monsoon is here and so are the diseases. The change in season can result in various viral infections, flus and poor health conditions.The tricky season can lead to various health problems like sore t..
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