Toss the Tissue! 10 Foods That Prevent Seasonal Allergies Naturally

 

Sneezing, sniffling, swollen, itchy eyes got you down this month? If so, you’re far from alone. Mid-August marks the beginning of ragweed season, which lasts through October and causes a whopping 36 million Americans to suffer the symptoms of “hay fever” or allergic rhinitis.

With seasonal allergies (not to mention mold!) in full swing, we’ve got a total of 50 million people suffering some kind of torment, four of them in my very own household.

10 Foods That Prevent Seasonal Allergies Naturally

Anti-allergy soup
There’s nothing like a warm bowl of soup when you’re feeling sick, and while this usually pertains to chicken soup for the flu, an expert on herbs developed this soup to naturally battle allergies.

Onions and garlic
Quercetin is another secret weapon that helps fight allergies by acting like an antihistamine. Onions and garlic are packed with quercetin, as are apples.

Flavonoids
Flavonoids, such as quercetin, are a group of plant pigments that are largely responsible for the colors of many fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine that helps stabilize mast cells to prevent both the manufacture and release of histamine, as well as other allergic and inflammatory compounds.

Kale
Don’t just admire kale as a garnish. Eat it! This superfood packs a one-two punch against allergies; like broccoli, it’s a member of the crucifer family, but it’s also rich in the carotenoid department, pigments believed to aid in fighting allergy symptoms.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of nature’s great wonders. In addition to being a natural antihistamine, this water-soluble vitamin has a multitude of other functions in the body. From being a powerful antioxidant fighting free radicals to its role in the synthesis of collagen, it’s the vitamin we truly can’t live without. Foods rich in vitamin C should be eaten as soon as possible when fresh, as they lose their strength after being exposed to air, or being processed, boiled, or stored for long periods of time.

Broccoli
This precious piece of produce serves two purposes in annihilating your allergy symptoms. It’s high in allergy-relieving vitamin C and it’s a member of the crucifer family, plants that have been shown to clear out blocked-up sinuses. Researchers have found about 500 milligrams (mg) of Vitamin C a day can ease allergy symptoms, and just one cup of raw broccoli packs about 80 mg.

Turmeric
Turmeric is a yellow-colored spice commonly found in Indian curries. It contains the active ingredient curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance. Research has shown that ingesting 1200 mg of curcumin daily can have the same effect as anti-inflammatory drugs.

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