Hot, dry weather, air pollution and unscientific living habits are making the respiratory system of many people - especially young children, the elderly and housewives - vulnerable. Instead of abusing drugs, nutritionists recommend adding some fruits to help purify the lungs, soothe the throat, expel phlegm and increase natural resistance.
1. Tangerines - The natural "medicine" for removing phlegm and dilating bronchi
Not only a popular snack, tangerines are also a valuable remedy in both traditional and modern medicine. Tangerine peel contains limonene - a natural essential oil with strong anti-inflammatory properties, while thinning mucus in the bronchi, making cough sufferers more susceptible to phlegm. In addition, flavonoids such as hesperidin and naringin in tangerine peel also help stabilize immunity, protecting respiratory exemplary cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Many families have the habit of drying tangerine peels (canvas) to steep tea or steep honey for their children to drink whenever they have a cough or nasal congestion. This is a folk treatment for cough that has been proven safe, benign and effective in many cases of sore throat and mild bronchitis.
2. Pineapple - Bromelain enzyme helps pepper spray, effectively reduce inflammation
Pineapple contains bromelain - a rare enzyme in the plant world, widely studied for its effects in reducing inflammation, excretion, and preventing respiratory edema. According to a study published in Biomedical Reports, bromelain has the ability to soften and break down the protein structure of mucus, making it easier to push the mucus out. Pineapple is also rich in vitamin C and manganese - important antioxidants for lung function.
In addition, pineapple can also help improve digestion and soothe the throat after speaking a lot or being exposed to dusty smoke. However, pregnant women, people with stomach pain and ulcers should be careful when eating raw pineapple, especially when hungry, because bromelain can irritate the stomach lining.
3. Pears - cool the lungs, cool the heat, reduce cough
Pears are a cool fruit, high in water content, rich in vitamin C, fiber and organic acids. In Chinese medicine, pears are considered a medicine to relieve heat, reduce defecation, and thickening (reducing cough). A popular way to make it is to steep pears with rock sugar, which can be combined with goji berries or ginger to increase the effect of soothing the throat. This is a simple but effective method, especially suitable for young children, the elderly, people with a dry cough due to heat or weather allergy.
Modern studies also show that pear juice can soothe respiratory irritation and support lung cleansing through anti-inflammatory and fluid-fortified properties.
4. Red - good for the lungs and throat if used properly
Ripe persimmons are rich in beta-carotene, tannin and vitamin A, which help soothe the throat lining and reduce mild inflammation. The tannin in persimmons also has mild antibacterial properties, helping to reduce phlegm and prevent respiratory infections to a mild extent.
In folk medicine, dried persimmons are used as amoeba to relieve coughs or sore throats. However, tannins can also cause constipation and protein freezing if eaten when hungry or too much, especially not taken with protein-rich foods such as crab, shrimp, milk, eggs.
Polished air, frequent air conditioners, dry weather and unscientific eating habits are making respiratory diseases more common than ever. Meanwhile, the use of antibiotics and cough medicine without interruption not only easily causes resistance but also affects liver - kidney function and the natural immune system.
Therefore, experts recommend building a lifestyle of "prevention over treatment", in which supplementing natural fruits rich in enzymes, vitamins and antioxidants is a simple, safe and long-term effective measure.
