Breathing issues can arise from a wide variety of different medical conditions. One might imagine that symptoms arising from asthma, allergies, COPD, or even genetic factors would be very different from each other. However, the nature of these symptoms related to breathing problems is often quite similar across a wide variety of medical conditions. Symptoms can range from shortness of breath to severe difficulty breathing.

The following foods often trigger these breathing problems:

1. Cold cuts
Cold cuts, ham, hotdogs, and similar items might not seem like a particularly worrisome food. But all of those selections include something called nitrates. Nitrates are commonly added to some meat products in order to give them a distinctive splash of color and extend shelf life. This additive is harmless to most people. However, anyone with COPD has a strong chance of encountering respiratory issues after ingesting it.

2. Carbonated beverages
Carbonated beverages often pack a significant amount of calories. What’s more, those calories won’t even leave one feeling sated. The empty calories from soda will instead often leave people feeling hungrier than ever. All of this will often result in people taking in an excessive amount of calories. This will, in turn, result in long term weight gain. Once the excess weight reaches a certain point it can result in continual pressure against one’s lungs. Imagine trying to breathe with a weight on one’s chest. This is essentially what happens with long term weight gain.

3. Acidic foods and drinks
Acidic food and drinks cause problems for a variety of different reasons. The method by which acidic items impact one’s respiratory system isn’t always obvious. This somewhat obscured nature often ensures people don’t notice the link between the food and their symptoms. However, the ultimate issue comes from stomach acid’s interaction with the esophagus. Acidic food and drink can cause stomach acid to move into the esophagus. This will, in turn, often cause breathing problems over time.

4. Dairy products
Dairy products might seem healthy at first glance. Dairy has a significant amount of protein, calcium, and even vitamin D. However, milk also contains something called casomorphin. Casomorphin is a substance associated with most dairy products and it’s a clear danger to anyone suffering from respiratory issues. This substance can increase mucus production within one’s body. People with respiratory issues already tend to have abnormally high levels of mucus within their system. The end result is an already high level of mucus entering into severely unhealthy levels. This is particularly bad for people who suffer from nasal polyps.

5. Excessive salt
Excess salt is another food which has a significant, but indirect, impact on respiratory issues. An excessive amount of salt in one’s diet can result in water retention. And water retention can in turn lead to breathing problems. Salt intake is further complicated by how common it is as an additive. It’s quite easy for people to exceed the recommended daily allowance of salt before they’ve even had their lunch. Cutting down on salt intake will usually require a significant change in diet. However, people who cook can often manage to cut down on sodium by increasing their use of other flavoring agents. For example, one might use pepper or garlic to add flavor when cooking rather than salt.