Foods against sneezing: goodbye allergy in spring
Spring has arrived and with it the horrible allergy. How many people cancel their plans during this time to avoid having to endure itching, watery eyes and sneezing as soon as they go out on the street? And the brave ones who go out do it with a lot of pills on hand in case they get a strong allergic outbreak. Yes, pills, because it is the quickest and most immediate response to alleviate our symptoms . But has it occurred to you that there are many other natural remedies that can help reduce allergy symptoms? In this Bekia article we are going to talk to you about some foods that, consumed every day, can help you gain quality of life during the spring season .
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Allergy, our biggest rival in spring
What is allergy? It is an inflammatory response of our immune system that is triggered by the production of molecules called histamine, the main responsible for the development of symptoms such as itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing, rhinorrhea … This substance is produced when the allergens that affect to each body they cross the first defensive barriers of the organism, as they are the skin and the mucosa.
It is in the stomach where most of the immune system resides, so a good diet can considerably reduce allergy symptoms. To do this, we must take into account that the digestive system contains the microbiota and digestive mucous membranes, in charge of the intestine being able to correctly absorb nutrients, generate beneficial substances and stop pathogens that reach the stomach . For this reason, we must take proper care of our stomach, especially in the time of allergies , since it will be this part of our body that has to make the most effort to keep allergens at bay.
And just as there are foods that can harm the stomach, such as sugar , fat, coffee or dairy, there are also foods that help our stomach on dates as important as spring. A good diet will not only improve our quality of life and the state of our digestive system, but it will also help it to combat allergy symptoms and regain strength.
For this, it is necessary to know what those foods are and to know that the great allies of people with allergies are folic acid and vitamin C , nutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to these two substances, the most annoying symptoms of allergic outbreaks can be considerably reduced. Below, you will find a list of recommended foods to reduce allergy attacks in the spring.
Foods to prevent and improve allergy
- Broccoli : it is one of the foods preferred by nutritionists and allergists for its high content of vitamins and fiber. It contains a large amount of vitamin C, a substance that is recommended to ingest to reduce allergy symptoms. In addition, this type of vegetable is well known for its ability to relieve sinusitis .
- Citrus : grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, lemon … all these fruits are valid as long as you consume 500mg a day. It is mainly oranges and mandarins that contain the most vitamin C, but citrus fruits are generally recommended to reduce the symptoms of allergy sufferers. In addition, n oranges and mandarins are also a direct source of folic acid , which makes these fruits a complete food for all those allergic to it.
- Nettles : just as it can cause allergies and rashes, it can reduce the symptoms of them. This plant is one of the best known natural remedies when it comes to alleviating the symptoms of spring allergy. Nettles help reduce airway inflammation thanks to a substance that makes them up: histamine. It is this substance that the body generates when an allergic outbreak occurs, which is why nettle is ingested to acquire tolerance to histamine. But be careful, its continued consumption is not recommended, since it can end the potassium reserves of our body .
- Cabbages and cabbages : like broccoli, they provide the body with a high content of vitamin C. In addition, they contain carotenoids, a natural pigment that improves sinusitis caused by allergies. It is recommended to eat this type of food two to three times a week , either as a main dish or a side dish.
- Vegetables greens : spinach, endive, arugula, lettuce, chard … foods aremajor source of folic acid contribute to our body, especially if raw eaten. As we have already said before, folic acid has anti-inflammatory properties, beneficial for allergy sufferers.
- Apple : it is a fruit rich in quercetin, a substance that helps to tone the immune system , which minimizes the allergic outbreak. The intake of two apples a day is recommended to develop a rapid response.
- Green tea: the leaves of this tea contain epigallocatechin gelato, a substance that neutralizes the receptors involved in the development of the allergic outbreak. In addition, the intake of a glass of tea a day is recommended to reduce the inflammation caused by allergies, thanks to its antioxidant compounds.
- Elderberries : they are edible fruits only after cooking, since they are usually toxic plants, and it is recommended to mix them with juices, jams and wines . They are another of the foods that contains flavonoids, a substance that, as we have already said, reverses the inflammatory and oxidative effects that allergy produces in our body.
- Onion and garlic : they are vegetables rich in quercetin, like the apple. This substance prevents inflammation and the oxidation process. It is recommended to eat the foods as little as possible treated , so that they do not lose their nutrients and benefits, but, given how unpleasant it is to eat them raw, it is advisable to add it to salads and stews.
- Ginger : it is a plant with high anti-inflammatory power that also helps improve digestion and tone the defenses. It is recommended to add it to meals as a dressing to consume it more regularly, although the most beneficial thing for people prone to allergies is to drink ginger tea, since in this way the plant does not lose its properties.
I began to be interested in nutrition from a very young age (I am currently 25 years old), but it was not until adolescence that I knew that I would dedicate my life to this career. I am the mother of a beautiful 5-year-old girl whom I adore and plan to instill in her all the values that guide us towards a healthy and balanced life. I was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, where I currently live, and have my own practice where, of course, I practice my profession as a nutritionist.