Pollen Allergy: These ‘Friendly’ Foods That Can Help You

What if certain foods become your allies in the fight against pollen? Seasonal allergy season is in full swing, and patients typically turn to curative therapies, including antihistamines, to relieve the symptoms that make life miserable. In addition, you can also turn to “friendly” products, namely antihistamines, anti-inflammatory agents or natural antioxidants that can support the immune system.

Among these foods that can help you, there are especially those that are rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, or even omega-3s.

To soothe allergies, you can consume foods containing vitamin C without hesitation, starting with certain fruits such as oranges, clementines, grapefruits, or even blackcurrants, kiwis, and strawberries. On the side of the vegetables cabbage and spinach must be approved on your plates. Perhaps more surprisingly, nettle leaves may also be valuable in prevention. The content of vitamin C gives them a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect.

In addition to its well-known benefits for supporting the immune system, the most well-known vitamin can also alleviate the symptoms of allergic bronchial tubes and therefore alleviate the breathing problems experienced by some.

Vitamin E (or tocopherol), known for its antioxidant properties, will help reduce allergic nasal symptoms. In any case, this is confirmed by several studies, including one published in 2012. “Clinical and experimental allergy”or another in “Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology” in 2004. The latter came to the conclusion that “Nasal symptom scores were lower in patients who received vitamin E supplements during hay fever season.”

Occurs especially in vegetable oilssuch as sunflower, avocado or almonds, but also directly in seeds and almonds, this can be added to your daily snacks and meals, a handful a day is considered the ideal diet.

Like vitamin C, omega-3s are anti-inflammatory and likely limit airway inflammation.

Of course, it is found in oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, herring, anchovies or even salmon, but also in fish oils, which consist directly of available fatty acids. Similarly, some vegetable oils are rich in omega-3s, such as linseed oil, hemp oil, chia oil. Finally, you can include a handful of nuts and seeds in your diet, starting with pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds.

Several studies, including one published in 2013 Annals of Saudi Medicinefurther explored the potential benefits Honey to relieve symptoms associated with seasonal allergies. “Honey improves general and individual symptoms of allergic rhinitis in addition to standard medications.” concluded the latter.

Note, however, that people with pollen allergies should avoid royal jelly and propolis supplements in line with the ANSES guidelines, which issued a warning in 2018. At the time, the health agency reported three cases of serious allergic reactions. which, by the way, caused great difficulty in breathing, wanting to calm down in the case of honey.

In the case of supplements based on royal jelly and/or propolis, incidents have reached “the highest level of severity in our scale [hors décès]. This level means a danger to health, and in some cases, life. then indicated ANSES.

Finally, foods that are naturally rich in or release histamine in the body, such as cheeses, red wine, and cold cuts, should be avoided. This also applies to certain types of fish, foods that have been fermented, salted, smoked, or even certain types of peppers and spices.