Keep new season sniffles at bay with these top ingredients
There’s nothing that makes us giddier than hearing the birds singing and blossom emerging in time for the new season. But what we’re less than thrilled about is the influx of allergies the latter brings. Thanks to climate change, even those who don’t normally suffer, will experience an increase in symptoms year on year as higher carbon dioxide levels have led to pollen becoming more potent. Although prolonged warmer weather isn’t something we’d normally moan about, it also means a lengthy spell of sniffing and sneezing.
But before you reach for the over-the-counter help, try munching on more of these anti-inflammatory foods to make the season a little more bearable.
COLLARD GREENS
These dark, leafy vegetables have a high phytochemical and carotenoid content which is known to keep spring sniffles at bay. Maximise the amount of carotenoids your body absorbs by lightly cooking them in olive oil.
WATERMELONS
Full of lycopene (a carotene), watermelons have been shown to reduce our response to allergies and the accumulation of symptom-producing cell types in the lungs.If you want to double your chances, add tomatoes to your diet which also have the same properties as watermelon.
ONIONS AND GARLIC
Quercetin (a phytochemical) is found in onions, garlic and apples and can act as an antihistamine to fight off allergies.
GRAPES AND BLUEBERRIES
Crammed full of a polyphenolic compound called resveratrol, these purple fruits suppress allergic responses in the body.
CITRUS FRUITS
We know that stocking up on oranges, lemons and grapefruits ups our vitamin C levels, but we have to consumer a massive 500mg to really feel the allergy-busting affects. To put it into perspective, one large orange contains 100 mg so get peeling!
COCOA
Oh yes, this is our favourite allergy-fighter of them all! Cocoa has been found to contain key anti-allergy properties via reduction in IgE synthesis. You’re welcome!
