Ragweed season has just begun and until late October, millions of people around the country are going to be caught up in fits of coughing and sneezing. But before you head straight to the drug store for that Reactine or Allegra, consider taking a more natural route to fight your allergies – through the foods you eat.
There are numerous food compounds and vitamins out there that contain natural antihistamines and by adding them to your diet you can improve your allergies immensely. Take a look at some of the best foods for this below.
Vitamin C
Due to its easy-to-find nature, Vitamin C is one of the most accessible antihistamines that can be found in plenty of foods at your local grocery store. From bananas, kiwi and pineapples to tomato juice and cranberry juice, there are a wide variety of options that can help you take advantage of its antihistamine properties. Compared to the chemical-laden medicines at the drugstore, this is a great alternative for minimizing your seasonal allergy symptoms.
Vitamin A
Much like Vitamin C, Vitamin A is a very accessible antihistamine – spinach, carrots, tomatoes, mangoes and leafy green vegetables are all great sources, giving you plenty of options when it comes to integrating it into your diet. For the best results, eat the fruits and vegetables mentioned above as fresh and raw as possible to increase their antihistamine properties.
Bromelain
Although it’s available in supplement form, bromelain is most commonly found in pineapples and is said to be an effective way to treat allergy symptoms such as respiratory distress and inflammation. A study published in Alternative Medicine Review found that taking between 400-500 mg three times daily is the optimal dosage to successfully fight off your symptoms.
Quercetin
A powerful antioxidant that is naturally found in onions, apples, tea, tomatoes and various other produce, quercetin has been shown to have antihistamine effects. One study found that it reduced the respiratory side effects of allergies in rats by inhibiting the inflammatory response that occurred in their airways. In addition to quercetin-rich foods, you can also obtain it in supplement form.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids possess anti-inflammatory properties that are thought to be the main reason for their ability to reduce allergic reactions. They are most commonly found in cold-water fish such as salmon, walnuts, canola oil, flaxseed oil and grass-fed meat.
Although its highly recommended to start consuming natural antihistamines at least six weeks prior to the peak of allergy season, anyone with allergies knows that this can be difficult – sometimes they can seemingly come out of nowhere. Despite this suggestion, integrating the above foods into your diet is a great way to minimize your symptoms and give your body the ammunition that it needs to fight allergies.
