Certain drinks may ease symptoms of asthma. Examples include water, caffeinated drinks, and drinks with vitamin D. Other drinks may be an asthma trigger for some people.

Asthma is a chronic condition in which a person’s airways react to certain triggers, which leads to swelling and inflammation in the airways. As a result, it becomes hard for air to pass through the airways, making it difficult for the person to breathe.

It is important to follow a suitable treatment plan that a person creates with their doctor. If a person has asthma, they can speak with their doctor to discuss the possible benefits of consuming certain drinks and avoiding others.

Read on to learn more about which drinks may help with asthma, which drinks to avoid, and other asthma remedies.

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Some evidence suggests certain drinks may help lessen asthma symptoms.

Caffeinated drinks

According to the Allergy & Asthma Network, caffeine may be beneficial for people with asthma. Caffeine is a substance that is in:

  • coffee
  • tea
  • certain soft drinks
  • cocoa

A 2010 study suggests that caffeine may have beneficial effects on asthma symptoms. The study showed that consuming small amounts of caffeine could improve lung function for up to 4 hours.

The authors note that caffeine is chemically very similar to a drug called theophylline, which doctors use as a bronchodilator to open up the airways in the lungs.

A 2020 study also found that a light to moderate intake of coffee or tea reduced the risk of adult-onset asthma. However, the study also noted that a high intake of caffeine can have negative effects, such as nervousness, anxiety, and reduced quality of sleep.

Due to this effect of caffeine, people should make a doctor aware if they have recently consumed caffeine before taking a lung function test, such as spirometry.

However, a person should not need to consume caffeine to manage their asthma symptoms. If this is the case, it may indicate that their current treatment plan for asthma is not effective. A person’s doctor can help them make any necessary changes to their treatments.

Drinks with vitamin D

A 2021 study found that vitamin D supplements may help reduce asthma symptoms in people with low vitamin D.

Fortified cows’ milk or plant-based milk may contain vitamin D, which might help reduce the severity of asthma attacks in some cases.

Learn about vitamin D deficiency.

Water

Dehydration may make a person more likely to experience asthma symptoms.

A 2019 study found that dehydration reduces blood flow to the skin and affects how efficiently the heart works.

Exercise reduces airway hydration, which increases the risk of the airways constricting, leading to asthma symptoms.

People should consume enough water to prevent dehydration. Those who exercise regularly or vigorously may need to drink more.

Learn more about the benefits of drinking water.

There are several drinks that people may wish to avoid if they have asthma.

Sugary drinks

A 2019 study identified an association between drinking soft drinks and having asthma. Adults and children who consume soft drinks are more likely to have asthma.

The study also notes that children born to people who drank soft drinks during pregnancy are more likely to have asthma.

A 2015 study suggests that children who consume 100% fruit juice and drinks with added sugar have a significantly increased risk of developing asthma.

However, other studies did not find the same link.

While researchers do not know exactly why soft drinks may have an association with asthma, it is possible that sugar affects the airways. If a person consumes drinks high in sugar, this may increase inflammation in the airways, causing asthma symptoms.

More research into the possible links between sugary drinks and asthma is necessary.

Learn about the effect of soda on the body.

Alcohol

Some people with asthma may benefit from avoiding alcohol.

Alcohol contains two triggers that may make asthma worse: histamines and sulfites.

Histamines are chemicals that are present in the body and at varying levels in almost all foods and drinks.

Sulfites are a natural preservative in alcohol. Some manufacturers may add more sulfites to wine to prevent it from fermenting in the bottle.

Alcoholic drinks that contain higher amounts of histamine and sulfites — such as wine, beer, and cider — may trigger asthma symptoms. Some people may also find that drinking alcoholic drinks makes them more sensitive to other asthma triggers.

Learn more about the possible connection between alcohol and asthma.

Several foods may help a person manage asthma symptoms. These include foods that contain:

Foods containing these nutrients may have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. This effect may decrease inflammation in the lung airways, reducing the risk of asthma symptoms.

Food that is high in fiber may have a protective effect against airway inflammation because fiber affects the number and types of bacteria present in the body.

Consuming more fruits and vegetables and reducing the intake of high fat meats may also help.

Discover more diet tips for asthma.

A doctor may recommend a combination of medical treatments and home remedies to help manage asthma.

Medical treatments can include:

Learn more about medical treatments for asthma.

Home remedies that may help include:

  • avoiding any known triggers or allergens
  • avoiding smoking
  • maintaining a moderate weight

Learn more about home remedies for asthma.

Certain drinks may be beneficial in managing asthma symptoms. Caffeinated drinks, milk fortified with vitamin D, and water may reduce airway constriction. However, sugary drinks and alcohol may make asthma symptoms worse.

A person can contact their doctor for more information about whether certain drinks may be beneficial for their asthma symptoms. Although dietary changes may lessen the symptoms of asthma, they are not a substitute for medications, so it is important to contact a doctor to discuss a suitable treatment plan.