Opinion | Let Us Eat Lungs (Published 2023) (2024)

Opinion|Let Us Eat Lungs

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/14/opinion/lungs-eat-usda-ban.html

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Guest Essay

Opinion | Let Us Eat Lungs (Published 2023) (1)

By Jonathan Reisman

Dr. Reisman is the author of “The Unseen Body: A Doctor’s Journey Through the Hidden Wonders of Human Anatomy.”

Federal policy in the United States allows butchers to sell virtually every part of an animal’s body as human food, with one notable exception: the lungs. In 1971 the Department of Agriculture declared animal lungs unfit “for use as human food” and banned them from the commercial food supply.

As a doctor who enjoys eating nose to tail, including an animal’s internal organs and entrails, I believe that the lung ban makes no medical sense and accomplishes little to keep the American public safe. The Department of Agriculture should discard the rule.

When people first hear about this rule, even scientists and food law experts I’ve spoken to, they often presume that it is designed to protect us from dangerous infections that can harbor in animal lungs, like tuberculosis and anthrax. But the language of the ban’s stated rationale says little about lung infections. When the Department of Agriculture proposed the rule in 1969, it purported to protect people from eating things like dust, flower pollen and fungal spores that animals (including humans) inhale.

The rule was based on studies conducted around 1970 in which pathologists at the Department of Agriculture cut open the branching airways of animal lungs to study them much more deeply than in a typical post-mortem examination. The pathologists found those inhaled airborne particulates. They also found stomach contents, which may have refluxed up the animals’ esophagi and into their airways before or after death.

Notably, the pathologists did not mention any serious infections, which are generally discovered with a typical superficial examination — the same check that every internal organ undergoes before being U.S.D.A. approved. (Infected specimens should, of course, be kept out of the food supply.)

Still, the Department of Agriculture felt that such impurities rendered lungs unfit for human consumption and banned them outright. Scottish haggis, which includes the organ, disappeared from store shelves and butcher shops in the United States. (Dried lung treats for pets, however, are legal and widely available. Also, the ruling does not extend to those who hunt and slaughter animals for personal consumption.)

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Opinion | Let Us Eat Lungs (Published 2023) (2024)

FAQs

What vegetables are good for your lungs? ›

Leafy greens such as bok choy, spinach and kale are a rich source of carotenoids, iron, potassium, calcium and vitamins. These nutrients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can help reduce lung inflammation and promote overall health.

What is the texture of lung meat? ›

This is an underrated offal cut, which can bring a unique flavor in any dish to which it is added. Lungs have a rather chewy texture but are much softer than Liver and Heart.

Why were lungs called lights? ›

And these two words are etymologically connected: lights were so named because they weigh very little, and lung is traceable back to a hypothetical Indo-European root lnggh- from which English light, 'not heavy' is ultimately derived.

Is banana good for the lungs? ›

Bananas: Bananas contain potassium and fiber. They are good for lung health, and the American Lung Association recommends that you eat at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber daily. Tomatoes: For high levels of lycoprotein, tomatoes are your richest veggie source. Lycoprotein is a carotenoid linked to improved lung function.

Which fruit is best for cleansing lungs? ›

Embrace Potassium – Potassium rich drinks such as cantaloupe, oranges, chikoo, banana, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, apricots, berries, figs and dates along with lunch, help the lungs to detox, by better digestion and lesser load on the heart and lungs. 6.

What is cooked lung called? ›

Lights are the lungs of game or livestock as used in cooking and butchery. Although technically offal, lights are rarely used in English-speaking culinary traditions, with the exception of the Scottish national dish haggis.

What are crunchy lungs? ›

Crepitus in the lungs refers to the sound and sensation associated with subcutaneous emphysema, a condition in which air is trapped under the skin. It is characterized by the palpable or audible popping, crackling, grating, or crunching sensation that can occur when air is pushed through the soft tissue in the chest.

Is lung meat or offal? ›

For young beef, or veal, a number of additional parts, such as spinal marrow, trotters (feet), mesentery, and the sweetbread, are counted among the variety meats. Mutton and lamb offal includes the kidneys, tongue, brains, feet, stomach, heart, liver, and lights, or lungs.

What disease was called the lung? ›

We don't get any confirmation of exactly what the doctor means by "the lung," but based on the time period and Viola's symptoms, the disease is probably tuberculosis, aka TB. This lung disease was common in the 17th century, and wasn't easily treatable, so the doctor's bleak prognosis makes sense.

What are pig lungs used for? ›

The porcine lung is also being used in anesthesia, in critical care and lung transplantation research, and in studies of airway structure, function, and microbiome (19–23).

What is white lung? ›

“Most types of pneumonia will show up on imaging scans as white patches in the lungs, indicating areas of inflammation. Therefore, the term 'white lung' is not a diagnosis and does not have any clinical meaning beyond its descriptive value.”

What foods help lungs heal? ›

Consuming a diet high in nutritious foods and beverages is a smart way to support and protect lung health. Coffee, dark leafy greens, fatty fish, peppers, tomatoes, olive oil, oysters, blueberries, and pumpkin are just some examples of foods and drinks that have been shown to benefit lung function.

How can I make my lungs stronger? ›

But there are things you can do to keep your lungs healthy and even increase your capacity.
  1. Stop Smoking (and avoid secondhand smoke). ...
  2. Exercise regularly. ...
  3. Maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated. ...
  4. Get annual check-ups. ...
  5. Stay up to date with vaccinations. ...
  6. Avoid outdoor air pollution exposure. ...
  7. Improve indoor air quality.

How can I clean my lungs naturally? ›

Lungs are self-cleaning organs that will begin to heal themselves once they are no longer exposed to pollutants. The best way to ensure your lungs are healthy is by avoiding harmful toxins like cigarette smoke and air pollution, as well as getting regular exercise and eating well.

What foods reduce mucus in the lungs? ›

Plant-based foods – Plant-based soups, salads, and smoothies are vital additions for those battling mucus. Some veggies and fruits, including leafy greens, tomatoes, onions, grapes, blueberries, and cherries, contain quercetin. This pigment is a powerful anti-histamine, which reduces phlegm and other allergy symptoms.

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