With pollution levels rising, many people are having difficulty breathing or being diagnosed with respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among others. To avoid triggering or worsening the symptoms of these breathing conditions, you can avoid certain foods. Listed below are a few foods that trigger breathing issues.

1. Bacon, ham, sausage, and deli meats
These are among the foods that trigger breathing issues as they contain nitrites. Nitrites are used to process and preserve these food items. They help to increase their shelf-life and make them look more appetizing. However, nitrites can cause inflammation in the lungs and are best avoided by those with breathing issues or respiratory disorders.

2. Wine, beer, and hard liquor
Consuming more than two alcoholic drinks a day can prove harmful not just for your overall health but also for your lungs. Alcohol contains sulfites which can trigger or worsen the symptoms of respiratory issues such as asthma. Ethanol in alcohol can also affect the health of your lungs and make you more prone to developing lung problems and health conditions like pneumonia that can affect your breathing. Some drinks such as beer that are gassy can result in bloating or a tightening of the chest, which can cause breathing difficulty.

3. Salt and salty snacks
A diet high in sodium can worsen the symptoms of asthma or cause long-term bronchitis. Hence, watching and limiting your consumption of salt is essential if you have respiratory issues. Reading the labels of packaged edible items could be useful as these are among the foods that trigger breathing problems due to their high salt content. Opt for home-cooked food over packaged and frozen meals and use herbs and spices to add flavor when cooking.

4. Broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts
These vegetables are also known as cruciferous vegetables and are listed among the foods that trigger breathing issues. These can cause gas and bloating that can affect breathing. However, since vegetables are packed with essential nutrients, if you do not experience any digestive discomfort that affects your breathing after consuming this type of vegetables, you can continue to include them in your diet.

5. Milk, ice creams, and dairy products
These foods can increase the production of mucus in the respiratory tract, making it difficult to breathe. Hence, if you notice excessive phlegm production, suffer from a stuffy nose, or experience sinus irritation regularly, reducing your intake of these foods that trigger breathing issues can be beneficial. Ice cream is also high in fats and sugar and can cause breathing difficulty.

Avoiding or limiting the consumption of these foods should help you to overcome your breathing issues. Consult your doctor or dietician and work out a diet plan that would help you boost the health of your lungs.