Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs and is long term in nature. Its symptoms are wheezing, coughing, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath. Depending on the patient, these symptomatic episodes can become worse at night or during exercise, or in pollen-filled, dusty or smoky environments.

According to research, known triggers for asthma include environmental factors such as pollen allergies and air pollution. Other common asthma triggers may occur when exposed to pet dander or fur. Asthma has no cure, but symptoms can be reduced by the avoidance of triggers, in conjunction with doctor prescribed medications (i.e., inhalers containing corticosteroids).

Asthma can also be managed by including certain foods in the diet, or by following an anti- inflammatory diet. The following foods should be included in any anti-inflammatory diet for asthma patients:

1. Fatty fish
Salmon, sardines and mackerel are rich in omega-3 and other fatty acids, which help in reducing asthma symptoms. According to research and surveys, people with asthma who consume fatty fish had fewer symptoms than those who did not.

2. Avocado
This fruit is very rich in L-glutathione, a substance that helps in protection of cells of the body from free radicals damage. It also contains essential fatty acids which helps the lungs to function properly without constriction.

3. Honey
Is rich and nutrient dense. Mixing 1 teaspoon of honey in a cup of water to drink 3 times daily helps remove phlegm from throat, clears the airways of the lung and treats asthma symptoms.

4. Garlic
Though this plant has a pungent smell, it has powerful effects on the lung as it helps by reducing inflammation of the lung airways. This occurs as a result of large content of vitamin C which neutralizes the molecules responsible for airway constriction.

5. Kale
This vegetable is rich in vitamin C also, which helps in reducing airway muscle contraction. It’s also loaded with beta-carotene, vitamin A, k, c and more. All these nutrients present will help to alleviate the symptoms of asthma.

6. Spinach
This vegetable is considered one of the super foods because of its rich contents of vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, potassium, zinc, magnesium, etc. It has been discovered that asthma sufferers are lacking magnesium,an element that helps in alleviating asthma symptoms.

7. Carrots
Great abundance of antioxidants called beta-carotene present in carrots has helped asthmatic women live better quality of life according to study research, while those with low levels of this antioxidant suffered greater severity of asthma.

8. Food allergies and asthma
It has been discovered that asthma people have food allergies. While some food can help in reducing asthma attacks,other foods may trigger it. Common Asthma triggers are dairy, wheat and shellfish. According to research, there has been a dairy allergy and asthma connection in some patients. Some discovered that consumption of milk does trigger their asthmatic symptoms but not every patient is allergic to the same food. One needs to take note of the particular food that triggers it then avoids such.

Asthma is a long term disease, but proper management with certain foods will help individuals live a healthy life.