Just 100 grams of cauliflower contains two grams of dietary fiber, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture – and for someone with COPD, the excess gas that’s produced during the digestive process of this fiber can become problematic.
In general, “when gut bacteria break down and ferment fiber, gas [hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide] is created as a byproduct. That gas can build up in your digestive tract like air inflating a balloon,” explained board-certified sports dietitian Cynthia Sass (via Eating Well). In fact, this is one of the reasons why these vegetables are avoided if you have IBS as well. For someone with COPD, this means bloating and trouble breathing. Expelling carbon dioxide easily from your system via breathing is difficult for someone with lung issues like COPD.
If you have been diagnosed with COPD and don’t want to stop eating broccoli or cauliflower, however, you could try eating them less often, in smaller quantities, and also chewing them thoroughly, according to some experts. But you may want to run this advice by your healthcare provider before trying anything new with your diet. Diet plays a big part when it comes to quality of life and disease management for someone who has lung issues, and health professionals have advice on what to include in your diet if you have COPD. Interestingly, however, diet could even prevent lung-related concerns like COPD, according to some science.