How Long Does It Take To Clear Your Lungs

When we smoke, cigarette smoke is deposited on our bronchial tubes and lungs. This impacts our breath, especially since inhaled carbon monoxide disrupts the body's oxygenation. Contrary to popular belief, this phenomenon isn't irreversible, and by quitting smoking, we offer our body the opportunity to cleanse itself of the harmful effects of tobacco. Here are a few tips to help you cleanse your lungs after quitting smoking.

Cleaning your lungs with a balanced diet

Having a balanced diet is important, especially when quitting smoking. But what exactly is a balanced diet? It is a diet that provides enough fat, carbohydrates and proteins, but also the nutrients, vitamins and molecules necessary for the proper functioning of the human body. Among these elements, antioxidants are essential. In particular, they are known to fight against free radicals. What is less well known is that, in normal doses, free radicals are also beneficial to the immune system.

Just as it's bad to consume too little antioxidants, it's also bad to take in more than the recommended amounts. Some studies suggest that too much antioxidant in the body may increase the risk of cancer.

It's therefore essential to eat a balanced diet, which provides just enough antioxidants, and to draw a line under antioxidants as a dietary supplement. In order to do so, Kwit suggests that you integrate certain foods into your diet.

Quercetin, an ally for your lungs

According to several studies, foods rich in quercetin and isothiocyanates may reduce the risk of lung cancer, especially among former smokers. Onions, especially yellow onions, are known to be an important source of quercetin. A good reason to consume it! However, if you don't like it, apples, figs, cabbage, asparagus and even dark chocolate also contain it.

Selenium to limit the risk of cancer

Studies suggest that selenium also plays a role in the fight against cancer, particularly lung cancer. The good news is that selenium is present in many foods, so you won't run out of it. For example, Brazil nuts are recognized as an important source of selenium. But these nuts are so rich in selenium that one a day is enough to meet your needs and cleanse your body. So don't abuse them!

Selenium can also be found in other foods: seafood, brewer's yeast or egg yolk.

Cleaning your lungs thanks to flavonoids

Flavonoids are known to purge the lungs and strengthen the respiratory and digestive systems. They therefore contribute to the fight against lung cancer.

Grapefruit and pomelo are known to be important sources of flavonoids. 4 glasses of grapefruit juice per week would be enough to effectively cleanse your lungs.

Foods with Antibacterial and Antiseptic Virtues to Expel Impurities.

Foods with antibacterial and antiseptic properties help fight coughs. This is notably the case of ginger, also recognized as an element in the fight against certain respiratory diseases. This root has the characteristic of opening the bronchial tubes, allowing the lungs to clear and expel impurities. Good reasons to make infusions of ginger and lemon!

Mullein herbal teas

Mullein is a plant that increases respiratory capacity, removes excess mucus from the lungs, cleanses the bronchial tubes and reduces inflammation of the airways. The ideal is to consume it in the form of herbal tea. This plant is easy to find in pharmacies or drugstores. Then do not wait, this plant cleans the lungs of former heavy smokers!

Cleaning your lungs by getting back into sports

By quitting smoking, you will gradually get your breath back. This is the perfect opportunity to get into sports! In addition, it will help you clear your lungs and improve your breathing capacity.

The benefits of sport are not limited to the lungs. Among other things, sport will allow you to reduce the risk of weight gain, to surpass yourself, to control your stress and to find pleasure when you stop smoking. This is true even if you are not a great sportsman, the most important thing is to find a sport that suits you.

It doesn't matter what kind of physical activity you do, as long as it suits you. However, regularity is quite important. As with everything, it's indeed preferable to do sports a little every day, rather than doing a lot once in a while, even if you are disgusted with it. If you are not used to doing sports, why not try a quiet activity like yoga? Moreover, some of its variations, such as pranayama yoga are known to help you develop your breathing capacities!

Woman making soap bubbles

It's never too late to quit smoking and start cleaning your lungs!

Indeed, very quickly, your body gets better and eliminates the harmful effects of tobacco!

👉 20 minutes: blood pressure and heartbeat return to normal.
👉 8 hours: the amount of carbon monoxide in the blood drops by half. Oxygenation of the cells returns to normal.
👉 24 hours: the risk of heart attack decreases. The lungs eliminate the smoke residue.
👉 48 hours: taste and smell improve.
👉 72 hours: breathing becomes easier.
👉 24 to 72 hours*: your body is free of nicotine.
👉 2 weeks to 3 months: coughing and fatigue decrease. Breathing recovers. Walking is easier.
👉 After 9 months: bronchial lashes grow back.

*In most cases, your body will take between 24 and 72 hours to eliminate nicotine. However, this may vary depending on how much you smoke and how long you've been smoking. This process can take up to 10 days for some people.

The whole team wishes you good luck if you have decided to stop smoking or have already started withdrawal, and remember: Kwit is here to help you! 💪