Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, spinach and cabbage rarely, if ever, make it onto the “taboo” list when you're trying to eat healthy. Who shouldn't eat cauliflower or broccoli? Yes, everyone needs to eat it! But don’t rush…
Content< /i>Who should not eat cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetablesThe fiber content of cauliflower can lead to excess gasPreventing COPD: the role of cruciferous vegetables
Of course, they are full of nutrients that have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They contain large amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins and other minerals. If you want to reduce your risk of heart disease, prevent cancer, boost immune system health, and consume enough fiber to achieve your weight loss goals, cauliflower and other nutrient-rich vegetables in the same family can be your best friends. But WomanEL came across data that they should be avoided for certain diseases.
Who should not eat cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), these foods should be on your list of foods to avoid. COPD is an inflammatory disease of the lungs that makes it difficult for you to inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide as usual.
Long-term exposure to smoking (including second-hand smoke) and exhaust fumes from burning fuels is believed to is one of the main causes of COPD.
A person with this condition may have difficulty breathing. They may experience shortness of breath during physical activity, wheezing, chest tightness, chronic cough with mucus, respiratory infections, and lack of energy. How exactly do cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables make things worse?
The fiber content of cauliflower may lead to excess gas
According to the USDA, just 100 grams of cauliflower contains two grams of dietary fiber. For a person suffering from COPD, the excess gas produced during the digestion of this fiber can become problematic.
In general, “when gut bacteria break down and ferment fiber, gas (hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide) is produced as a byproduct. This gas can accumulate in the digestive tract, like air inflating a balloon.” Certified sports nutritionist Cynthia Sass has this to say.
In fact, this is one reason you should avoid eating these vegetables if you also have IBS. For a person with COPD, this means bloating and difficulty breathing.
Have you been diagnosed with COPD and don't want to stop eating broccoli or cauliflower? According to some experts, you can try eating them less often, in smaller quantities, and chewing them thoroughly. But you should take the advice of your healthcare provider before trying anything new in your diet.
Diet plays a big role when it comes to quality of life and disease management for those with lung problems. And health professionals can advise you on what to include in your diet if you have COPD.
Prevention of COPD: the role of cruciferous vegetables
How to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Source: freepik.com
According to a 2017 study published in the journal Molecular Medicine Reports, a special natural compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli called sulforaphane may protect your lungs from damage caused by cigarette smoke, a major risk factor for COPD. . Sulforaphane does this by increasing the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, also known as Nrf2, a factor involved in regulating cellular defenses against toxic and oxidative damage. An earlier study published in the journal Clinical Immunology came to a similar conclusion.
A 2023 study published in the journal Nature found that cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower may promote healthy lung function by signaling to a protein called aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Which ultimately protects your lungs from the outside world.
According to a 2018 study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, long-term consumption of fruits and vegetables was generally considered a protective factor against COPD. Although the main determining factors in this study were apples, pears and bananas.
However, when you are already dealing with diseases such as COPD and digestive problems, there are recommendations to avoid eating certain foods. It's best to talk to your doctor about how to get all the nutrients you need the right way without worsening your symptoms.
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