Looking to boost your lung health? Time to break out the blender.
For anyone suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, maintaining proper nutrition can be a difficult task. Given limited mobility in some cases, even the effort of cooking can be physically draining.
However, there are alternative options to promote healthy nutrient intake while minimizing the stress of exhausting meal prep; the solution is juicing.
Juicing is the process of blending fruits and vegetables to give the body all the vitamins and minerals it needs in one convenient drink.
With your health in mind, we have compiled a list of the best juice recipes for lung health that won’t leave you breathless but keep you full of energy.
4. Sunrise Detox Smoothie
We’ve mentioned the cardiovascular benefits of potassium in bananas before, raspberries on the other hand are renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties that work to reduce inflammation in pulmonary airways and promote better breathing.
Combined with the antioxidants of mangoes, pineapples, and lemon juice, with the natural electrolytes of coconut water, this smoothie is the perfect way to start the day.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup frozen mango
- ½ cup pineapple
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- 1 cup coconut water
- Juice of one lemon
Directions
- Place banana, mango, pineapple, raspberries, and lemon juice in a blender. Add coconut water. Process for 30 seconds, or until smooth.
3. Radish Detox Smoothie
Although the Radish is a spicy root vegetable, it’s a surprisingly good source of vitamin C. Radishes are capable of fighting diseases and rescuing cells from destructive free radicals.
Radishes can also regulate blood pressure, relieve congestion, and prevent respiratory problems such as asthma or bronchitis.
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of radishes
- ½ cup mixed sprouts: sunflower, alfalfa, radish
- ½ cup chopped radish leaves
- 1 ripe banana
- ½ fresh or frozen raspberries
- ½ fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 ½ cup coconut water
- ½ cup Thai style coconut milk
- Pinch of salt
Directions
- Place radishes, sprouts and radish leaves in a blender. Add coconut water. Process for 30 seconds or so.
- Add berries, banana, salt and coconut milk. Process until smooth.
2. Beet, Apple and Blackberry Juice
Though little known, beets were once considered a primary source of sugar in the 19th century. Today, — along with ginger and blackberries, — they are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
In conjunction with the antioxidant quercetin found in the skin of apples, this sweet juice is perfect for building lung health while healing the body from within.
Ingredients
- 3 small beets
- 2-3 apples
- 8 oz. bag of blackberries
- ½ inch fresh ginger
Directions
- Place beets, apples, blackberries, and ginger, into a blender. Add coconut water. Process for 30 seconds, or until smooth.
1. Anti-Inflammatory Tonic
As inflammation of the lungs is the primary cause for distressed breathing in COPD, natural vitamins and nutrients that hold anti-inflammatory properties are key to relieving these symptoms.
With this in mind, there are few natural ingredients stronger in anti-inflammatory properties than turmeric and ginger.
Blended with the vitamin-rich antioxidants orange, lemon, celery and carrots, the “Anti-Inflammatory Tonic” lives up to its name as one of the best juices for COPD available.
Ingredients
- 2cm fresh turmeric
- 4 carrots
- 1cm fresh ginger
- 1 orange
- ½ lemon
- 3 stalks celery
Directions
- Place fresh turmeric, carrots, ginger, orange, lemon and celery stalks into a blender.
- Process for 30 seconds, or until smooth.
Although it is possible to achieve an improved state of health and well-being through careful diet and nutrition, it is impossible for these methods alone to do more than reduce symptoms.
Always consult with your doctor for a comprehensive treatment plan.
Christine Kingsley, APRN is the Health and Wellness Director at the Lung Institute where she focuses on providing helpful online resources for people looking for information on various lung diseases, breathing exercises, and healthy lifestyle choices. She advocates for holistic care that involves working with your doctor to explore all options including traditional and alternative care while focusing on diet and exercise as proactive measures.