On December 2, National Pollution Control Day 2021 is commemorated to honour those who perished in the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy. It’s also a day to raise awareness about the dangers of pollution in the air. Unfortunately, nine out of ten people throughout the world do not have access to clean air, putting them at danger of respiratory problems, lung cancer, brain or kidney damage, and heart disease over time.
The northern portions of India are particularly polluted at this time of year, making it dangerous for people to go for regular walks or commute to work in the mornings or nights. While more efforts are needed to alleviate India’s air pollution problem, it is also critical to adopt some lifestyle adjustments that shield us from pollution’s detrimental impacts. Certain meals can help enhance immunity and minimise pollution’s impacts. A diet rich in vitamins, Omega fatty acids, and herbs and spices such as ginger, turmeric, peppermint, tulsi, cloves, and cinnamon, for example, can help you battle pollution’s detrimental effects. Processed and sugar-laden foods, on the other hand, can cause inflammation in the body and should be avoided.
Dr. Vipul Rustgi, MBBS MD Medicine, Consultant physician and Diabetologist, Apollo Spectra, Delhi, recommends the following meals to combat air pollution and smog.
Vitamin C: While the winters in Delhi NCR have become a season of heavy pollution, they are also a season of citrus fruits such as oranges, which can help decrease inflammation and allergic reactions. Vitamin-C-rich foods can boost immunity and lessen the negative effects of pollution on the body. “To minimise the inflammatory allergic reaction, eat vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, strawberries, apples, and watermelons. Vitamin C is also found in red bell peppers, kale, parsley, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and other foods “Dr. Rustgi agrees.
