Along with the bloom of spring comes allergy season, and experts say this could be one of the worst yet. Allergy specialists and meteorologists alike have noticed an extremely high pollen concentration, due in part to winter precipitation and warmer temperatures. In addition, global climate change is leading to high levels of carbon dioxide, which encourages trees to produce more pollen and allows mold to flourish and release spores.
About 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, which are caused by an overreaction of the immune system to particles in the air. Symptoms include a runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing, post-nasal drip, and itchy ears, nose, and throat.
There’s more bad news, too. As global temperature begins to warm, allergy season begins earlier each year, and lasts longer. Pollen counts have been rising, and the seasons for tree allergies and grass allergies may now overlap—making life miserable for people who are allergic to both.
Common treatments for allergies include antihistamines, decongestants and nasal spray, but solid science suggests that certain foods can help fight spring allergies, as well. Try these seven foods to fight your spring allergies.
1. Citrus Fruits: Oranges, Grapefruits, and More
Bring on the vitamin C, found in abundance in your favorite citrus fruits! This vitamin has antihistamine properties and preliminary research suggests that it may reduce the symptoms of allergies. It’s even been suggested that nursing moms can help developing kids reduce the risk of allergies if they have vitamin C in their breast milk. Vitamin C has many other benefits, too, since it helps to repair tissues in all parts of the body.
2. Tomatoes
Children who adhered to a Mediterranean diet had lower levels of certain allergy symptoms, according to a 2007 study. The diet includes a high amount of fruits, nuts, and vegetables—including tomatoes.
Like citrus fruits, tomatoes are high in vitamin C, but their allergy-fighting properties go further. Tomatoes are also rich in lycopene, a potent antioxidant that may helpreduce symptoms of asthma, which often worsen during allergy season. Lycopene has also been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties—a benefit that could bring welcome relief to people suffering from swollen nasal passages due to the pollen in the air.
In addition to potentially fighting the effects of allergies, lycopene helps inhibit the action of destructive free radicals. Higher lycopene in the blood has been linked to lower levels of certain types of cancer.
3. Sunflower seeds
Get some vitamin E in your diet, and it could well combat those pesky allergy symptoms. Research has shown that a diet higher in vitamin E may reduce the body’s response to allergens. To get your fill of this vitamin, sunflower seeds are an excellent option. Wheat germ oil, almonds, and peanuts (or peanut butter) are also good choices.
4. Spinach
It’s time to make Popeye proud. Because people low in magnesium are more prone to asthma and wheezing, getting more of this crucial mineral, which plays a role in more than 300 biological functions, may be helpful. Other sources of magnesium include nuts (especially almonds and cashews), bran, and oatmeal.
5. Onions and garlic
Add quercetin to the list of nutrients that scientists believe may reduce the symptoms of allergies. Although more research needs to be conducted to prove that this works in humans, in test tubes, quercetin prevented immune cells from releasing histamines—the very chemicals that cause allergic reactions.
Quercetin is an antioxidant, so it can help neutralize harmful free radicals as well. Beyond onions and garlic, other good sources of quercetin include apples, parsley, sage, citrus fruits, and even red wine.
6. Honey
It’s been theorized that locally produced, raw honey may reduce seasonal allergies, because the bees use nectar from flowering plants in one’s area to produce honey, which might help desensitize the body’s response to pollen allergens.
Although the scientific evidence is limited, one preliminary 2011 study found that those who used birch pollen honey before the start of birch allergy season had better control of allergy symptoms than those on conventional medication. Patients who took birch pollen honey reported a 60 percent lower total symptom score, twice the number of asymptomatic days, and 70 percent fewer days with severe symptoms, compared to the control group. They also used fewer antihistamines than patients taking regular honey.
7. Butterbur leaf
This herb may be a good antidote for nasal discomfort in people with hay-fever, according to a 2006 study involving 580 patients. Study participants were given two tablets, and symptoms (including itchy eyes and nose, red eyes, skin irritation, sneezing, nasal congestion and rhinorrhea) improved in 90 percent of them, over a two week period.
Butterbur can be found over the counter in health food and supplement stores, but, as with all new treatments and herbal supplements, it’s best to speak to your doctor before taking it.
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