What foods can relieve allergies

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Spinach, broccoli and fish oil may be your saviors. But it is not exactly.

We will warn you right away: there are no “allergy” products. You cannot eat something and immediately get rid of a runny nose, tearing eyes, irritations on the skin and other signs of a sensitization reaction.

However, there are still products that can reduce the manifestation of symptoms with the same hay fever or, for example, allergic asthma. Some doctors consider Top 5 natural antihistamines for allergies / Medical News Today to be their natural counterpart to antihistamines. That is, drugs that suppress the activity of histamine - a protein that is released in response to the penetration of an allergen into the body and causes unpleasant symptoms such as a runny nose and cough.

The efficacy of most of these foods has been confirmed by only a small amount of research. Therefore, from the point of view of evidence-based medicine, Seasonal Allergies at a Glance / National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (USA) cannot be substituted for drugs. But it is worth considering when planning the menu: perhaps they will help you.

What you need to know before introducing new foods into your diet

Many of the foods listed below can have unpleasant side effects. For example, the same strawberries or honey can trigger the development of food allergies. And citrus and pineapple juice will drastically reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics you may be taking.

Therefore, deciding to deal with food allergies, first consult with a therapist or supervising allergist. And in any case, monitor your well-being in order to notice a possible unpleasant reaction in time.

What foods can relieve allergies

Vitamin C rich foods

Scientists suggest that one of the key roles in the development of allergic reactions may be played by Claudia Vollbracht, Martin Raithel, Bianka Krick, Karin Kraft and Alexander F. Hagel. Intravenous vitamin C in the treatment of allergies: an interim subgroup analysis of a long-term observational study / Journal of International Medical Research oxidative stress. This is the name of the process by which cells of the body are massively damaged by free radicals.

Vitamin C is recognized as a powerful antioxidant by Anitra C. Carr1, Silvia Maggini. Vitamin C and Immune Function / Nutrients. This means that it effectively reduces free radicals and thus can make allergies less severe.

For example, one small study by Claudia Vollbracht, Martin Raithel, Bianka Krick, Karin Kraft and Alexander F. Hagel. Intravenous vitamin C in the treatment of allergies: an interim subgroup analysis of a long-term observational study / Journal of International Medical Research found that intravenous administration of high doses of vitamin C significantly reduced allergy symptoms. In another work, C. S. Johnston, L. J. Martin, X. Cai. Antihistamine effect of supplemental ascorbic acid and neutrophil chemotaxis / Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that a daily intake of 2 grams of this substance lowered blood histamine levels by 38% in 10 people. In the third L. Podoshin, R. Gertner, M. Fradis. Treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis with ascorbic acid solution / Ear, nose & throat journal, scientists sprayed 60 allergy sufferers with ascorbic acid spray into the nose and found that after such injections, 74% of the participants had better symptoms.

All of these studies are small, and not that many. However, they show similar results, suggesting that vitamin C may actually relieve allergies.

So it makes sense for allergy sufferers to add foods that contain a lot of ascorbic acid to their diet. For example, Vitamin C / National Institutes of Health (USA):

1. Red bell pepper.
2. Broccoli.
3. Cauliflower.
4. Citrus fruits: lemons, oranges, grapefruits.
5. Kiwi.
6. Strawberry.
7. Black currant.
8. Spinach.
9. Tomatoes and tomato juice.
10. Potato.

Quercetin-rich foods

Quercetin is an antioxidant substance found in many plant foods. Like vitamin C, it fights oxidative stress and thus can be used by Jiri Mlcek, Tunde Jurikova, Sona Skrovankova, Jiri Sochor. Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response / Molecules relieve allergy symptoms.

In at least one study A. P. Rogerio, A. Kanashiro, C. Fontanari, E. V. G. da Silva, Y. M. Lucisano-Valim, E. G. Soares, L. H. Faccioli. Anti-inflammatory activity of quercetin and isoquercitrin in experimental murine allergic asthma / Inflammation Research in mice has shown that supplementation with quercetin can help reduce the respiratory manifestations of allergic asthma. But, as in the case of vitamin C, there is still not enough scientific work to consider quercetin as an effective analogue of medicines for humans.

However, it is not forbidden to test the effect of this antioxidant. Moreover, it is not difficult to include it in the diet. Quercetin is found in decent doses in Top 5 natural antihistamines for allergies / Medical News Today products such as:

1. Red apples.
2. Raspberries.
3. Blackberry.
4. Currant.
5. Cranberry.
6. Blueberry.
7. Strawberry.
8. Cherries and sweet cherries.
9. Black and green tea.
10. Broccoli.
11. Grape.
12. Red onion.
13. Red wine.
14. Tomatoes.
15. Yellow and green peppers.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids

Due to its anti-inflammatory action, omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the symptoms of allergic asthma. This effect has been observed in at least several studies 1. H. M. Schachter, J. Reisman, K. Tran, B. Dales, K. Kourad, D. Barnes, M. Sampson, A. Morrison, I. Gaboury, J. Blackman. Health Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Asthma / Evidence Reports / Technology Assessments

2. Isobel Stoodley, Manohar Garg, Hayley Scott, Lesley Macdonald-Wicks, Bronwyn Berthon, Lisa Wood. Higher Omega-3 Index Is Associated with Better Asthma Control and Lower Medication Dose: A Cross-Sectional Study / Nutrients. However, they are still not enough to classify omega-3 as antiallergic drugs.

Scientists continue to collect information, but you can try the effect of this group of fatty acids at any time. It is enough to include in the daily menu any of the Omega-3 Fatty Acids / National Institutes of Health (USA) products that contain omega-3.

1. Fatty and moderately fatty marine fish: salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, herring, anchovies.
2. Seafood: mussels, shrimps, oysters.
3. Red and black caviar.
4. Nuts and seeds. Especially rich in omega-3 are walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds.
5. Vegetable oils: flaxseed, soybean, canola.
6. Fish fat. For example, cod liver oil.
7. Spinach Foods highest in Total Omega ‑ 3 fatty acids / Nutrition Data.
8. Products specially fortified with omega-3. These can be certain brands of eggs, yogurt, juices, milk, soy drinks, infant formula. Information on the addition of omega-3 in such cases must be indicated on the package.

Some other products

US Department of Health experts list Seasonal Allergies at a Glance / National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (USA) and other food options that may be able to alleviate allergy symptoms, particularly seasonal allergies.

1. Honey.
2. Yoghurts, kefir and other probiotic foods.
3. Products containing grape seed extract.
4. Supplements and superfoods with spirulina.
5. Stinging nettle and dishes made from it - for example, salads or green borscht.
6. Capsaicin products. This pungent substance is found in various types of capsicum.

In addition, there are data obtained in experiments on mice by Eric R. Secor, Jr., Steven M. Szczepanek, Christine A. Castater, Alexander J. Adami, Adam P. Matson, Ektor T. Rafti, Linda Guernsey, Prabitha Natarajan, Jeffrey T. McNamara, Craig M. Schramm, Roger S. Thrall and Lawrence K. Silbart. Bromelain Inhibits Allergic Sensitization and Murine Asthma via Modulation of Dendritic Cells / Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine that pineapple juice can reduce allergies due to the bromelain enzyme it contains.

This material was first published in April 2016. In June 2021, we updated the text.