Diet for people with bronchitis

1. The importance of diet for people with bronchitis

According to Dr. Pham Thi Bich Thuy, Central Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, acute bronchitis is one of the most common diseases in acute respiratory infections. The subjects susceptible to bronchitis are young children and the elderly with low resistance.

Bronchitis can be completely cured if treated early and properly. Patients need to take medication as prescribed by the doctor and combine it with good nutritional care to improve their health and resistance to help the disease heal quickly.

When you have bronchitis, your body needs a lot of nutrients to fight infection and recover. A healthy diet rich in nutrients will help provide energy, thin mucus, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the immune system.

Inflammation is the main cause of bronchitis symptoms. Some foods have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms. A healthy immune system is a weapon against infection. Some foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and zinc help boost the immune system. In addition, some foods can help thin mucus and reduce cough.

People with bronchitis should eat liquid, nutritious foods.

Patients with bronchitis often have fever, cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, etc., so they are very tired and have poor appetite. Therefore, patients should eat small meals, divided into many meals, and eat liquid, easy-to-digest foods.

For young children, because they cough a lot and have a lot of phlegm in their throat, they are very likely to vomit. Therefore, before feeding them, you should give them a few spoons of water, or pat them to release the phlegm, helping them breathe easier and less likely to feel nauseous and vomit when eating.

2. Essential nutrients for people with bronchitis

People with bronchitis should eat nutritious, safe, fresh foods with all the necessary nutrients (starch, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals). Food should be cooked well and in liquid form such as porridge, soup, etc. to make it easy to eat, digest well, and thin mucus, so that the patient does not cough too much. In addition, the following foods should be added:

Immune boosting foods

Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help boost immunity such as fresh fruits and vegetables play a very important role in helping to treat respiratory infections, including bronchitis.

Patients should supplement foods rich in vitamins A, C, zinc, etc. to help strengthen the immune system against infections, protect respiratory mucosa, and support lung function.

Food sources rich in vitamins and minerals include vegetables and fruits, especially dark-colored vegetables and fruits, green leafy vegetables: Malabar spinach, spinach, kale, broccoli...; Fruits rich in vitamins, especially vitamins A and C such as: oranges, tangerines, grapes, strawberries, papaya, apples, pears, bananas...

Anti-inflammatory foods

A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods helps reduce inflammation in the body, helping to improve the symptoms of bronchitis. At the same time, it promotes a healthy gut microbiome, strengthening the immune system.

Some common anti-inflammatory foods include foods rich in antioxidants; healthy fats such as: olive oil, berries, whole grains, nuts, fatty fish...

Fatty fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. When we consume these fatty acids, our bodies convert them into compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects. Although all fish contain some omega-3 fatty acids, fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, and anchovies are the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Drink plenty of water

Patients with bronchitis are prone to dehydration due to fever and vomiting, so they need to drink plenty of water to replenish their body's water. Drinking plenty of water also soothes the throat, thins mucus, and makes it easier for the patient to cough up.

Patients should drink water, soup, fresh fruit juice. In addition, some herbal drinks that help reduce cough and thin phlegm also have good treatment support effects.

People with bronchitis should note:

• Limit foods high in sugar such as candy and soft drinks.
• Avoid eating spicy, greasy foods that can cause nausea and indigestion.
• Do not use cold food or drink.
• Do not drink alcohol, beer and stimulants such as coffee, carbonated drinks...

3. Suggest some good foods and drinks for people with bronchitis

Chicken soup

Chicken soup is a traditional dish used to treat respiratory infections such as colds, flu, bronchitis... because it contains nutrients that help strengthen the immune system and thin respiratory mucus.

Chicken soup provides vitamins, minerals, and protein. These are essential nutrients that the body needs to recover from illness. This dish also contains a lot of water and electrolytes, which is good to prevent the risk of dehydration in case of vomiting and fever.

Chicken also contains the amino acid cysteine. N-acetyl-cysteine, a form of cysteine ​​that helps break down mucus, has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, which are essential for people with bronchitis.

Egg porridge

Egg porridge is a rich source of protein and B vitamins. Protein helps the body recover, while B vitamins help strengthen the immune system.

Almond Porridge

Cooking almond porridge with rice and eating it hot in the early morning and late afternoon is very good for people with bronchitis, helping to reduce cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

Ginger tea is very good for people with bronchitis.

Ginger tea

Ginger has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiemetic, cough and sore throat reducing properties. In traditional medicine, ginger is a very effective medicine often used to treat colds, headaches, nasal congestion, bloating, indigestion, coughs, phlegm, coughs due to bronchitis...

How to use ginger tea: Use 10g fresh ginger, wash, crush, add boiling water or put in a teapot, pour boiling water and steep for 10 minutes, add sugar and drink warm.

Pear juice cooked with rock sugar

Use 1 fresh pear, wash and chop, add rock sugar and boil to get the water, drink warm twice a day to help soothe the throat, thin mucus, and effectively reduce cough.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/che-do-dinh-duong-cho-nguoi-benh-viem-phe-quan-172240616174936985.htm