Air pollution strikes beyond the surface, affecting skin, hair, and your entire body—from shallower breathing and heightened infection risk to drier eyes. The good news? Nutrient-rich foods can fortify your natural defenses against pollutants.
As nutrition experts advise, prioritize organic fruits and vegetables, which carry fewer pesticide residues than conventional options. For non-organic produce, rinse thoroughly (try adding baking soda to the water) or steam to remove toxins. Focus on an anti-pollution diet that bolsters resilience and speeds pollutant elimination: fiber-packed foods like apples, pears, pineapple, cabbage, flax seeds, and oat bran shield the gut lining and promote faster transit; vitamin C in citrus, tomatoes, squash, and watercress converts particles into urine-soluble salts; sulforaphane from raw cabbage supports liver and lung health; antioxidants in grapes, lemons, blackberries, and turmeric neutralize free radicals.
