COPD Living With Healthy Food to Include in a COPD Diet These may benefit people with COPD By Deborah Leader, RN Deborah Leader RN, PHN, is a registered nurse and medical writer who focuses on COPD. Learn about our editorial process Deborah Leader, RN Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on November 20, 2019 Sanja Jelic, MD is board-certified in pulmonary disease, sleep medicine, critical care medicine, and internal medicine. She is an assistant professor and attending physician at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, NY. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD on November 20, 2019 Print Certain foods—low in calories and packed with vital nutrition—are presumed to provide a health benefit beyond that of basic nutrition. They may also play a role in improving quality of life and reducing the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health conditions. After checking with your doctor, consider the following list of superfoods the next time you go grocery shopping. 1 Fresh, Brightly Colored Vegetables Anne Stephneson / EyeEm/Getty Images Experts agree that eating a rainbow of brightly colored vegetables may aid in protecting your health. What does color have to do with it? Brightly colored vegetables and fruits are packed with nutrient-rich plant compounds called phytochemicals that help the body neutralize free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to your cells and tissues and may lead to chronic illness. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, the following vegetables contain the phytochemicals that are attracting the most scientific attention: BroccoliCarrotsCooked tomatoesLeafy greensSweet potatoesWinter squashBrussels sproutsBrightly colored vegetables Note: Certain vegetables (such as leafy greens) may need to be limited if you are on blood thinners. In addition, some vegetables may cause bloating and gas that may aggravate breathing problems. Be sure to discuss these issues with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet. 2 Fresh, Brightly Colored Fruits Iacaosa/Moment/Getty Images Fruits, particularly those high in antioxidants and phytochemicals, are believed to have a protective effect on the lungs and have been linked to a lower risk of dying from COPD. In fact, one study suggests that increasing the amount of fruit you consume by 100 grams (approximately one serving) a day is associated with a 24% lower COPD mortality risk. Choose from the following superfood fruit list: ApplesPearsCitrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit)Citrus fruit peelBerriesCherriesApricotsCantaloupeWatermelonGrapes 3 Black Tea Westend61/Getty Images Black tea contains xanthine alkaloids from which the stimulant theophylline is derived. Theophylline is a bronchodilator used in the treatment of COPD that helps open up the airways and decrease dyspnea. 4 Fiber Westend61/Getty Images A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology that included over 111,000 participants found that those who had the highest fiber intake (particularly cereal fiber) had a one-third lower risk of developing COPD than those who consumed the least amount of fiber. Fiber can be found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. 5 Omega-3 Fatty Acids Maren Caruso/Getty Images COPD is characterized, in part, by chronic inflammation in the lungs. Research suggests that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may protect the lungs against chronic inflammation, thus shielding them from the harmful effects of smoking. Omega-3 fatty acids may also help improve COPD symptoms. Consider including some of the following foods, which are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, in your daily diet: Fatty fish (salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, sardines)Cooking oils (canola, flaxseed, and soybean)Nuts (walnuts, butternuts)FlaxseedSoybeans Note: The above list of superfoods is meant to provide you with dietary choices that may benefit your health. It should not replace sound medical advice from your primary care provider or a registered dietician. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. AICR. Phytochemicals: The Cancer Fighters in the Foods We Eat. Aniwidyaningsih W, Varraso R, Cano N, Pison C. Impact of Nutritional Status on Body Functioning in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and How to Intervene. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2008 Jul;11(4):435-42. Celik F, Topcu F. Nutritional Risk Factors for the Development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Male Smokers. Clin Nutr. 2006 Dec;25(6):955-61. Hirayama F. et. al. Soy Consumption and Risk of COPD and Respiratory Symptoms: A Case-Control Study in Japan. Respir Res. 2009 Jun 26;10:56. Matsuyama W., MD, Ph.D. et. al. Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Inflammatory Markers in COPD. CHEST December 2005 vol. 128 no. 6 3817-3827. Planas M, Alvarez J, et. al. Nutritional Support and Quality of Life in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients. 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