How to Protect Children against Severe Air Pollution?

With each passing day, the air pollution level in Delhi & NCR is on the rise. Last year, the air quality index (AQI) crossed the 464-mark and according to global health standards any AQI value from 300 to 500 is labeled as extremely hazardous.

Breathing such polluted air, day and night, leads to many respiratory illnesses like – chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, wheezing, coughing and difficulty in breathing. Unfortunately, children are more vulnerable to air pollution as compared to adults, due to their weak lungs and immune system. Also, kids have higher air intake per kilogram of their body weight as compared to grown ups.

While pollution masks provide some protection against particulates, but it’s not always easily to put mask on kids especially if they are younger than 2 years. Also, they cannot wear the mask everytime they go out. So what can parents do to protect their children against severe air pollution?

According to Delhi’s top Nutritionist Avni Kaul there are certain nutrients that can help children and adults to safeguards themselves from air pollution. Some of the foods that contain these nutrients are:-

1. Mulethi

Mulethi or liquorice is rich in anti-oxidants and bronchodilator properties. You can train your child to keep a small mulethi stick in their mouth. It will not only help them to fight air pollution but it will also cure conditions like cough, bronchitis and reduce the effects of chronic asthma.

2. Gud (Jaggery)

Our very own gud is a source of instant energy. It is iron-rich which improves the hemoglobin levels, which in turn increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.  This helps to get rid of the acute effects of pollution.

Several studies and reports have proved that consuming a bit of gud every day can help combat the carbon pollution in the air. However jaggery intake must be limited to four to five grams a day, and it is recommended in smaller amounts to kids if they suffering from juvenile diabetes.

3. Water

Get your child to drink a lot of water every day, especially during winters. This will dilute the pollutants in their body and excrete them via the kidneys.

4. Olive oil

Alpha-tocopherol, the vitamin E contained in olive oil, improves lung function. The fatty acids contained in olive oil are also helpful for reducing inflammation. The best way to give olive oil to kids is by adding it in salads as it has a low to medium smoke point and hence cannot be used for cooking.

5. Trikatu

Trikatu is a Sanskrit word meaning three spices or three peppers. It’s a classic Ayurvedic herbal blend of Black Pepper, Long Pepper and the Ginger and helps to clean the lungs and removes toxins from the body. The best way to consume Trikatu is to take 2.5 gms of the herb with 1 teaspoon of honey, followed by a cup of hot water.

(Note: Herbal Trikatu is easily available in any medical store)

6. Flaxseed

Flaxseed has high levels of phytoestrogens and omega 3 fatty acids that have rich anti-oxidant properties and helps in reducing the symptoms of asthma and other throat allergic reactions. You can give kids flaxseed daily in smoothies, salads or add it to your baked foods.