PT health Life – Bronchitis can be completely cured if treated early and properly. Patients need to take medication as prescribed by the doctor, combined with rest and good nutritional care to improve physical condition and resistance to help the disease recover quickly.
1. The importance of diet for people with bronchitis
acute bronchitis is one of the most common diseases among acute respiratory infections. People susceptible to bronchitis are young children and the elderly with poor resistance.
Bronchitis can be completely cured if treated early and properly. Patients need to take medication as prescribed by the doctor combined with good nutritional care to improve physical condition and resistance to help the disease recover quickly.
When suffering from bronchitis, the patient’s body needs many 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 strong immune system is your weapon against infection. Some foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin A and zinc help strengthen the immune system. In addition, some other types can help thin mucus and reduce coughing.
People with bronchitis often have fever, cough a lot, runny nose, stuffy nose, difficulty breathing… so they are very tired and eat poorly. Therefore, patients should be given small amounts of food, divided into several meals, and should eat liquid foods that are easy to digest.
For young children, because they cough a lot and their throat has a lot of mucus, it is easy to vomit. Therefore, before feeding the child, give the child a few spoons of water to drink, or shake to release mucus, helping the child breathe easier, and also reduce nausea and vomiting when eating.
2. Necessary nutrients for the body of people with bronchitis
People with bronchitis should eat foods that are nutritious, safe, fresh and full of all groups of substances (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals). Food should be cooked well and in liquid form such as porridge, soup… to make it easy to eat, good digestion, dilute phlegm, and not cause the patient to cough too much. In addition, you should add the following foods:
2.1 Foods that boost immunity
Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help boost immunity, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, play a very important role in supporting the treatment of respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis.
Patients should supplement foods rich in vitamins A, C, zinc… to help strengthen the immune system against infections, protect respiratory mucous membranes, and support lung function.
Food sources rich in vitamins and minerals include fruits and vegetables, especially dark-colored fruits and vegetables, green leafy vegetables: spinach, kale, broccoli… ; Fruits rich in vitamins, especially vitamins A and C such as oranges, tangerines, grapes, strawberries, papaya, apples, pears, bananas…
2.2 Anti-inflammatory foods
A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods contributes to reducing inflammation in the body, helping to improve bronchitis symptoms. At the same time, it promotes healthy intestinal microflora and strengthens the immune system.
Some common anti-inflammatory foods include foods rich in antioxidants; Healthy fats like: olive oil, berries, whole grains, nuts, fatty fish…
Fatty fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. When we consume these fatty acids, our bodies convert them into decomposing compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects. Although all types of fish contain some omega-3 fatty acids, fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, anchovies… are the best food sources rich in omega-3 fatty acids. .
2.3 Drink a lot of water
Bronchitis patients are easily dehydrated due to fever and vomiting, so they need to drink plenty of water to hydrate their bodies. Drinking lots of water also soothes the throat, dilutes mucus, and makes it easier for the patient to spit out.
Patients should drink filtered water, broth, and fresh fruit juice. In addition, some herbal drinks that help reduce cough and thin phlegm also have a good treatment support effect.
2.4 People with bronchitis should note:
- Limit foods high in sugar such as candy and soft drinks.
- Avoid eating spicy and greasy foods that can easily cause nausea and indigestion.
- Do not use cold food and drinks.
- Do not drink alcohol, beer and stimulants such as coffee, carbonated drinks…
3. Suggest some good foods and drinks for people with bronchitis
3.1 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 mucus. Respiratory.
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 very good to prevent the risk of dehydration in case of vomiting or 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 effects, which is essential for the body of people with bronchitis.
3.2 Egg soup
Egg porridge is a rich source of protein and vitamin B. Protein helps the body recover, while B vitamins help strengthen the immune system.
3.3 Almond porridge
Cooking almond porridge with plain rice and eating it hot in the early morning and evening is very good for people with bronchitis, helping to reduce cough, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort.
3.4 Ginger tea
Ginger has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiemetic, cough and sore throat properties. In traditional medicine, ginger is a very effective medicine often used to treat colds, headaches, stuffy nose, and bloated stomach. bloating, indigestion, cough treatment, excessive phlegm, cough due to bronchitis…
How to use ginger tea: Use 10g fresh ginger, wash, crush, add boiled water or put in a teapot, pour boiling water and steep for 10 minutes, add sugar and drink warm.
3.5 Pear juice cooked with rock sugar
Use 1 fresh pear, wash and cut into small pieces, add rock sugar and cook to get water. Drink warmly twice a day to help soothe the throat, dilute phlegm, and reduce cough effectively.
