Five Foods That Help Beat Harmful Effects of Smog

The Delhi smog has increased the rate of respiratory disorders. Foods rich in antioxidants like cranberries and lemon can help build immunity and fight infections.

Highlights

People living in New Delhi are at greater risk of developing various respiratory problems
Five highly efficient foods like cranberries, lemon, walnuts, jaggery, and water can help survive the deadly Delhi smog

The Delhi smog has left many Delhiites with allergic conditions like wheezing and respiratory problems making them victims of frequent accidents and diseases triggered by the smog, reveals a new study. //

Delhiites commuting to work every day has become highly impossible. However, it is in this phase; people need to take care of their health.

Don't Worsen Smog With Crackers: Delhi Residents
Delhi residents have expressed concerns over growing air pollution due to bursting of fire crackers.

‘Cranberries, lemon, walnuts, jaggery, and water are loaded with high amounts of antioxidant & nutrients, which help build immunity and fight infections caused due to the smog.’

Here are five highly efficient foods that can help survive the deadly Delhi smog. These five foods can be easily incorporated into the diet.

1. Cranberries are highly nutritious and contain Vitamins C, E, and A. During winter; people are deprived of sunlight, an extremely rich source of Vitamin C. However, cranberries provide essential Vitamin C and can treat the deficiency.

Various skin problems are caused by the smog, and U.S. Cranberries have high concentrations of antioxidants & nutrients, which aid in building up the individual’s immunity and can various fight infections. For example, add cranberries to the fruit smoothie or oatmeal or can be eaten in a dried form like other nuts.

It is Dangerous to Breathe When There is too Much Smog
Smog, the choking threat which has landed the national capital in a pollution emergency, has been the cause of many respiratory problems in children and adults.

2. Lemon is packed with beneficial properties, i.e., right from cleansing to improving digestion. However, during the pollution phase, lemon keeps the individual hydrated. Therefore, drinking lemon water is essential to maintain sufficient hydration within the body.

The Delhi smog creates a lot of problems that are related to the throat, which can be cleared by adding few drops of lime to the tea. Like cranberries, lemon also is a potent agent that can fight skin problems including skin cancer.

Childhood, Adult Asthma Linked to London's 1952 Great Smog
Health data from the 1940s and 50s showed that London's Great Smog event of 1952 likely still affects some people's health more than 60 years later.

3. Walnuts: The two most prominent problems associated with the smog are suffocation and congestion. Walnuts help in cleansing congestion from the lungs, which aids in eradicating respiratory problems to a large extent.

Walnut is also known to be an effective mood booster. So, no matter how the smog makes you feel low, having a walnut or two can brighten your day.

California's Smog Reduction Linked to Improvement in Children's Respiratory Health
A USC study has found they now have significantly fewer respiratory symptoms as a result of improved air quality.

4. Water: During winter, drinking at least two liters of water is essential, as it helps in flushing out toxins from the body that have entered due to the pollution. Digestive problems are also more prominent at this time. Therefore, drinking adequate amounts of water is essential.

5. Jaggery is locally known as gur and is highly packed with iron, which can increase the hemoglobin content and supply of oxygen in the blood. This can protect the individuals from the acute effects of the pollution.

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution refers to the presence of solid particles and gases in the air. Pollutants may be natural or humanmade. These pollutants cause discomfort, disease, or death to humans. Other living organisms are also affected. The atmosphere is a dynamic complex mixture of gases that is vital for sustaining life on Earth. Emissions from vehicles, factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be suspended as particles.

Some air pollutants are poisonous; inhalation of polluted air causes respiratory diseases such as asthma, heart diseases, changes in lung function, and also death.

Long-term exposure to polluted air can compromise the growth (especially lung development) in children.

Air pollution is not restricted to the external environment: indoor pollution is also hazardous to health.

Smog

"Smog" is a portmanteau of smoke and fog. Photochemical smog is the result of chemical reaction of sunlight, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere. Smog is a serious threat to human health and is regarded as a problem of modern industrialization.

Reference

Air Pollution: Everything You Need to Know

(https://www.nrdc.org/stories/air-pollution-everything-you-need-know )

Source-Medindia