If you have asthma, then you know that there are certain foods that you need to avoid, or that could exacerbate your breathing issues. These foods can worsen your asthma symptoms and even trigger an asthma attack. For instance, certain foods that contain dairy, processed foods, or high amounts of sugar can worsen breathing related symptoms or even interfere with asthma medication. Let us look at five foods to avoid with asthma:

1. Dairy products

Dairy from animals (cow, goat, and sheep) contain a protein known as casein, which can lead to asthmatic attacks. Even if you are not allergic to dairy, the casein within can still cause problems for asthmatics. This takes place via the process of inflammation. When casein enters your body, it may cause the release of inflammatory chemicals that can cause irritation of the airways and trigger an asthmatic attack. Therefore, avoiding dairy foods such as milk, cheese, and butter is best if you have asthma.

2. Salty foods

Foods high in sodium are also best avoided if you have asthma. This is because salt can trigger the release of histamine in the body by causing the blood vessels to constrict. Histamine is a chemical released during an allergic reaction and can cause asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. In cases of severe asthma, histamine can even cause an asthmatic attack. Therefore, you may want to moderate or eliminate foods high in salt, such as chips, pretzels, french fries, and processed foods, is best.

3. Cold cuts

Unfortunately, cold cuts and cured meats such as ham, bacon, and sausage can also trigger worse asthma symptoms. A large majority of deli meats contain nitrites, which are preservatives that can lead to airway constriction by relaxing the smooth muscles. This can lead to difficulty breathing and asthma symptoms. Nitrites also increase histamine production in the body, further worsening asthma symptoms.

4. Acidic foods and drinks

When you have asthma, you must be careful about what you eat and drink. This is because acidic drinks (i.e., wine, coffee and citrus juices) and foods (i.e., rhubarb, tomatoes and vinegar) can worsen an asthmatic attack. Acidic drinks and foods often contain high amounts of acid, and too much acid in the body can trigger the release of histamine.

5. Carbonated beverages

Sodas, sparkling waters, and fizzy energy drinks contain carbon dioxide gas. When you drink them, they release gas into your stomach and intestines, which causes bloating that pushes on the diaphragm and causes it to contract. This can lead to difficulty breathing and asthma symptoms such as wheezing and coughing. It is best to avoid carbonated beverages if you have asthma. Also, carbonated alcoholic drinks (i.e., beer, hard ciders and hard seltzers) can cause an asthmatic attack. This is because alcohol can cause the smooth muscles in the airways to relax and lead to difficulty breathing. Therefore, it is best to avoid or moderate your alcohol intake if you have asthma.