Many people suffer from various breathing problems. These may result from conditions such as allergies or even asthma. They can also be more serious issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis. Oftentimes breathing can be difficult with these, but there are some things that can help. Certain foods can actually make the problem worse, so it is a good idea to know what they are so you can avoid them if you suffer from any breathing afflictions:

1. Acidic foods and drinks
One category of food to avoid are those food and drinks that are acidic. This can be a problem for those with acid reflux disease. This happens because of the valve at the end of the esophagus. This valve is made up of a ring of muscle, and sometimes this valve either opens more than it should or it has a poor seal. When this happens, stomach acid can flow back up into the esophagus. For those people that suffer from any type of lung disease, this acid reflux can make the symptoms of their lung disease more severe. Limiting these acidic foods can reduce the severity of the acid reflux.

2. Carbonated beverages
Carbonated beverages are so popular with people, but they also have so many negative side effects. Apart from having a ton of sugar, which just adds calories to your diet while providing no nutritional value, they also are known to cause bloating and even increase your weight. This excess bloating tends to put added pressure on your lungs, making it more difficult to breathe. Because of these things, water is always a better drinking option.

3. Cold cuts
Nitrates are a problem for people with COPD, so they should try to avoid foods that contain them. This is usually found in cured meats. These might include hotdogs, ham, bacon and sandwich meats. These are put into the meats because they help with shelf life while making the color more appealing. The problem is, there is evidence that they cause an increase in hospital visits for those that have COPD.

4. Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables have the reputation of causing gas and bloating. Just like carbonated beverages, this can cause pressure to the lungs and make breathing difficult for those that suffer from some form of lung disease. These types of vegetables would include things such as cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage. Although they have a lot of nutrients, they can cause these gas problems and should possibly be limited.

5. Dairy products
Dairy products contain casomorphin, which is a by-product of milk. Casomorphin has been known to cause mucus in the intestine to increase. This increase of intestinal mucus is also something that happens to those with lung disease when they have a flare-up. Dairy is one of those asthma triggers that can cause asthma symptoms. Therefore, consuming dairy products has a high potential of making breathing problems worse.

6. Excessive salt
When people eat too much salt, they tend to retain water. This added water again can cause pressure issues and make it more difficult to breathe. As with anything, it is important to always eat things in moderation.

7. Fried foods
Fried foods, just like cruciferous vegetables, can create problems from bloating. Fried foods not only put added pressure on the diaphragm, which in turn can cause breathing issues, but over time, they can cause weight gain. This excess weight adds pressure and makes breathing more difficult. Of course, fried foods are also not the healthiest, so consider more healthy options.