Keep Your Lungs Healthy with Beta Carotene Boost

Beta carotene is one of many brightly colored compounds called carotenoids that make foods yellow and orange in color. Eating foods rich in beta carotene can help prevent oxidative damage that contributes to lung problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.  Research studies conclude that people with the most beta carotene in their blood preserved more of their lung function over eight years. What’s more awesome, these people do not have to worry about immediate lung decline.

Image by RitaE from Pixabay 

To boost your beta carotene intake, consider adding these foods into your diet: spinach, kale, collards, pumpkin, butternut squash, sweet potato, apricot, mango, orange, carrot, tomato, cantaloupe, red pepper, papaya, watermelon.

To easily incorporate these super sources of beta carotene into your meals, try adding them into your favorite dishes. Grating raw carrots, for example, helps release beta carotene for easier absorption. You can prep the healthiest salad piled high with carrots, leafy greens, and other high-carotenoid foods. Use canola oil, balsamic vinegar, or olive oil to add fat to your beta carotene boosting meals.

Get more super salad recipes HERE.

Boosting your beta carotene isn’t as hard as you think. You won’t even have to bother eating foods you dislike as many of your favorites are already packed with it.

© Connie Luayon