If you have asthma, you may be aware of the many different lifestyle and environmental factors and triggers that can affect your symptoms.
While your diet cannot instantly cause or fix your asthma symptoms, what you eat may affect their frequency and severity. There is no one worst food for asthma or one single best food.
But eating inflammatory foods, like those containing sulfites and preservatives, may worsen asthma symptoms. On the other hand, eating antioxidant-rich foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables might reduce symptoms.
How does diet affect asthma?
There is no clear and conclusive evidence to support diet as a treatment for asthma. However, according to some research, a shift from eating fresh and antioxidant-rich foods to processed foods may have links to worsening asthma symptoms in recent years.
There are direct links between having overweight and experiencing more severe and frequent asthma symptoms. Diet plays a key role in maintaining a healthy weight.
A review study from 2019 discussed some older research from 2003, finding that 48% of children with asthma have a food allergy. Food allergies can play a key role in triggering asthma. These occur when your immune system mistakenly activates in response to specific molecules in foods. In some people, this can cause asthma flare-ups.
Foods to avoid
Some foods may trigger your asthma symptoms. Avoiding them may help you manage your condition. It is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional before cutting out any food groups from your diet.
Allergens
Allergic reactions occur when your immune system over-activates in response to a particular chemical. Your immune system responds by producing excessive amounts of the antibody immunoglobulin E (IgE).
Asthmatic allergic reactions to foods can also occur when a person experiences environmental exposure to these allergens. For example, inhaling them through cooking the allergen in the family home, even if you avoid eating the food causing a reaction.
In fact, one small study found that 12 children had worsened asthma symptoms when they were exposed to allergens in this way, and their symptoms improved when the family stopped cooking the allergens in the home.
The following foods may cause allergic reactions in the form of asthma symptoms:
- fish
- milk
- eggs
- shellfish
- peanuts
- tree nuts
- sesame
Salicylates
Salicylates are naturally occurring substances that are present in some foods. Although rare, some people with asthma are sensitive to salicylates found in the following food items:
- herbs
- spices
- certain cereals like buckwheat and oats
- cauliflowers
- lentils
A study from 2021 found that of 20 people with asthma, 70% of them noted that a low-salicylate diet improved the management of their asthma symptoms.
Salicylates are also present in some medications, such as aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Research from 2021 found that low-salicylate diets reduce asthma symptoms in people with respiratory disease worsened by aspirin.
Sulfites
Sulfites are a type of preservative that may worsen asthma symptoms. In some people, they may cause an allergic reaction. Mild asthma is common in children and may be avoidable by removing sulfite-containing foods from their diets.
Foods that can contain sulfites include:
- biscuits
- chips
- dried fruit
- packaged drinks
Sulfites are also prevalent in alcohol. A study from 2018 notes that white wine can trigger symptoms in people with asthma. This is the result of low levels of sulfur dioxide irritating the airways in people with asthma.
Gaseous foods
Foods that cause gas and bloating can irritate symptoms of asthma and trigger flare-ups. They can cause chest tightness and make it difficult to breathe.
Some foods that cause gas include:
- garlic
- fried food
- onions
- carbonated drinks
Foods to try
There is no specific diet that doctors recommend for managing asthma symptoms. However, certain foods and supplements can support lung function and prevent inflammation of your airways.
Some foods to try include:
| Type | Examples | Evidence |
| Vitamin D | milk, eggs, fortified orange juice, salmon | A review from 2021 notes that periods of more severe asthma symptoms seemed to happen alongside vitamin D deficiency. Taking vitamin D supplements if you have low levels may help improve your asthma symptoms. |
| Antioxidant-rich foods | fresh fruits, fresh vegetables | Inflammation in your airways is responsible for symptoms of asthma. Oxidative stress is a process that aggravates your airways. Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables can help reduce oxidative stress in your airways. |
Asthma treatments
Although no treatment can cure asthma, you can work with a healthcare professional to discuss the best way to manage your symptoms. For most people, this can mean finding out what triggers your symptoms, including the different foods that may be worsening them, so you can avoid them.
For people with severe asthma symptoms, medication can help.
Some options for medication include:
| Type | Examples | How they work |
| Inhaled corticosteroids | fluticasone (Flovent) | These work to lower inflammation in your lungs and airways, making it easier to breathe. |
| Combination inhalers | Symbicort | These combine two types of medication: corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in your airways and beta-agonists to reduce swelling and keep your airways open. They’re given via an inhaler. |
| Quick-relief medication | albuterol (Accuneb), levalbuterol (Xopenex) | These are short-term medications that relax the muscles surrounding your airways. They provide relief during an asthma attack rather than working as a long-term treatment and are given via an inhaler. |
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