5 Foods that fight seasonal allergies
07 Jun 2018
If you suffer from seasonal allergies you may struggle with annual sniffles, sneezing, hives, or asthma, but there are foods that can help. While no one food is a cure per se, there are many that can shore up your health, calm the immune system, reduce inflammation, and offer some relief. Check out these top five foods to fight the springtime sniffles.
- Green Tea. The perfect substitute for your morning coffee on your 21-Day Cleanse, tea, especially green tea, contains naturally occurring antihistamines which reduce allergy symptoms. Drinking hot tea also thins your nasal passages through the inhalation of steam, which helps soothe and clear a runny nose.
- Probiotics. You know we encourage you to take your probiotics, and not only do they nourish the good bacteria in your gut, they help strengthen and regulate your immune system, and lower antibodies which cause allergy symptoms. Probiotic supplements, coconut water kefir, chick pea miso, and cultured vegetables, are all excellent sources of various probiotics; it’s good to mix it up and consume a variety of strains. A good combination of supplements and raw probiotic foods will have you covered.
- Apples. Apples and apple peels are rich in quercetin, a flavonoid containing natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Quercetin has been shown to inhibit immune cells from releasing histamines, which cause allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, hives, itching, and sneezing.
- Salmon. Salmon and other fatty fish like mackerel contain Omega-3 fatty acids which strengthen the immune system, have anti-inflammatory properties, and help fight asthma and allergy symptoms. The strength of your immune system is directly linked to whether you experience seasonal allergy symptoms, and how severe they will be. Omega-3s will help keep immunity high and inflammation levels low.
- Walnuts. Walnuts also contain Omega-3 fatty acids which help keep allergies at bay; a handful of walnuts is equal to about 3.5 ounces of salmon. This Toasted Walnut and Parsley Spread is a fantastic, Omega-3-rich, addition to your weekly healthy snack rotation.
As with any health concern, prevention is key. When we strengthen our bodies through whole, natural foods, and support our bodies’ natural detoxification processes through targeted, periodic cleansing, we reduce inflammation and strengthen our immune systems in the process. The less inflammation in the body we have, and the stronger our immune response is, the less we will experience the symptoms of seasonal allergies, so start early; before the season starts.
Rotate these allergy fighting foods throughout your weekly meal plans, cleanse regularly throughout the year, and stick to the cleanest foods available. Remember that building a clean, healthy body is a lifestyle, not a quick fix. The more time invest in our health throughout the year, the greater the benefits are in the long term.
Written by Carolyn De Lorenzo
