The weather has been absolutely beautiful these past few months so why not spend as much time outside enjoying it and getting that much needed vitamin D! Well, for many of us spring and summer weather brings awful allergies, making it almost impossible to be outside. While diet won’t cure your allergy problems, research has shown that some foods have anti-inflammatory affects which could help minimize your symptoms.
- Salmon: Salmon is a fatty fish that is loaded with omega 3s which may reduce the risk of allergies. Other good sources are tuna, trout, nuts and seeds.
- Grape Juice: Grape juice contains an antioxidant called Resveratrol that helps to reduce asthma inflammation. Other good sources are red grapes, blueberries, and peanuts. Red wine is a good source also, but be careful, alcohol may make nasal allergies worse for some people.
- Beans: Beans are a great source of protein and are loaded with folate. Studies have shown this vitamin to help reduce the intensity of the immune systems reaction to allergies. Substituting beans for red meat occasionally may be doubly as good because red meat may enhance inflammation in some people.
- Apples: Apples contain the flavonoid Quercetin which is thought to decrease histamine production (which is known to play a role in allergic responses).
- Yogurt: As you probably know yogurt contains is a great source of probiotics which in studies has shown to lower levels of an immune substance that is known to increase inflammation.
- Carrots: Foods such as carrots that contain Cartoneoids (bright orange, red and yellow fruits and vegetables) have a suppressing affect on allergies.
Estelle L. Benoit, RD, LDN
Source: www.realage.com