Contributed by – Healthians Team
Seasonal sniffles, sneezes, and itches can get anyone down. Controlling these allergies is important and just popping a pill is not the only way to battle with these allergies. There are many natural ways to beat allergies. Your food plays a major role.
There are many foods that can help in reducing allergies by reducing the inflammation or calming the immune system. Fruits and vegetables are encumbered with benefits for our whole body. They’re full of nutrients that can keep us healthy and protect us from the seasonal allergies.
There are certain foods that reduce allergies, and then there are foods that make allergies worse. Hence, people prone to allergies must follow diet for allergy suffers to gain the maximum benefits from their food.
Here is a list of food for allergies relief, which can be easily added to your diet:
ONIONS, PEPPERS, BROCCOLI, CABBAGE
These are some of the common vegetables available in almost all kitchens. But few of us are actually aware of their benefits.
Nutrient present: They are rich in quercetin, which is a natural chemical produced from plants. This chemical helps in reducing the histamine reactions. Histamine is a part of the allergic response. Quercetin also helps body absorption for Vitamin C, which is an immunity booster.
GARLIC
This is indeed the most common vegetable present in every Indian kitchen. Its benefits are known to us from the ancient times.
Nutrient present: These are rich in anti-oxidants. Garlic can help in decreasing an allergic reaction and can help prevent allergy by blocking the production of the chemicals that cause allergic reactions.
ORANGE, KIWI, STRAWBERRIES
Mostly everyone loves to have these fruits. But how many of us are aware of the benefits we are getting from them!
Nutrient present: All these fruits and other citrus fruits are loaded with Vitamin C, an immunity booster vitamin. It also helps in providing a relief from allergy symptoms by cutting down on the histamines. Having a Vitamin C tablet is not as effective as having one or two fruits rich in Vitamin C.
PINEAPPLE
The spiky fruit has a lot of benefits hidden inside it which can help in reducing the allergy symptoms.
Nutrient present: Pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain present in it. This enzyme can help in reducing the irritation experienced in allergic diseases such as asthma.
YOGURT
Summers are around the corner and mostly everyone loves to have curd or yogurt.
Nutrient present: It contains pro-biotic or bacteria that helps in decreasing the body’s immune response to allergens, reducing inflammation in the body. This is done by stimulating the body to produce certain white blood cells and antibodies as well as various growth factors that are important to keep the body from overreacting to allergens.
FISH
Fish is a must-have dish in some parts of the country. It is believed to be very good for hair, skin allergies and also the overall health of an individual.
Nutrient present: Fish contains Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids have anti–allergic properties and they help in decreasing the allergic reaction.
WALNUTS AND FLAXSEEDS
Adding nuts to your diet is highly recommended these days by the dietician or the doctors. This is because of the numerous benefits we get from them.
Nutrient present: They contain omega-3 fatty acids (plants contain the ALA chain) and they can aid in the production of EPA and DHA in the body. Flaxseeds also contain selenium, a mineral that can help reduce an allergic response.
TURMERIC
The yellow coloured spice used in most of the Indian curries. This spice is not only used as a flavouring agent but it has a lot of health benefits.
Nutrient present: It contains the active ingredient curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance.
ALMONDS
Since childhood, we have been advised to have almonds in the morning on daily basis. This is because since ages people are aware of the health benefits we get from almonds.
Nutrient present: They are rich in Vitamin E, which is a powerful anti-oxidant and it has the power to reduce free radical damage and fight inflammation.
WHEAT BRAN
Not many know of the advantages of adding wheat bran to their diet to fight allergies.
Nutrient present: It is rich in magnesium. It helps in decreasing allergy as it is a bronchodilator.
HONEY
Most of us use honey for weight loss or skin ailments. But the fact is it is also loaded with benefits.
Nutrient present: Honey has high levels of monosaccharides, fructose and glucose and contains about 70 to 80 percent sugar, minerals and water make up the rest of its composition. It also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED
There are certain foods to avoid during skin allergy as they can cause skin reactions particular in people sensitive skin. Following re the list of foods that should be avoided:
- Dairy products
- Decreasing the salt quantity in food
- Chocolates
- Egg white
It is always advisable to consult a doctor or dietician to list out foods which are to be avoided. Eat right to enhance your fighting power!
