Foods to combat hay fever

Brits are being advised to add foods like pineapple and ginger into their diet to help combat hay fever.

Health and nutrition experts at Prepped Pots powered by MuscleFood have shared five foods that can help alleviate allergy symptoms during Spring and Summer.

As Spring begins many will find themselves suffering from common allergy symptoms including a runny nose, congestion and sore eyes.

Experts have shared that foods high in antioxidants and vitamin C provide anti inflammatory properties that can help some of the uncomfortable symptoms caused by hay fever.

Adding foods like honey, pineapple and ginger into  daily diets can alleviate congestion and make hay fever feel more manageable.

Ashleigh Tosh, nutrition expert at Prepped Pots said: “Those who suffer with hay fever will know it can be really uncomfortable to deal with.

“The good news is that there are a range of foods you can easily incorporate into your diet to naturally help your body combat hay fever and deal with it better.

“Ideally you want to reach for foods rich in vitamin c and have anti inflammatory properties. This is what’s going to help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms such as congestion, stuffy noses and difficulty breathing.

“All of these foods can be added in really simple ways – consider making your own ginger and turmeric shots, simply add a spoon of local honey to your breakfast or enjoy fruits like pineapples and oranges on their own.”

Foods to combat hay fever:

1. Local honey

Having a spoon of local honey each day is a great way to fight off allergies. Local honey will contain a small amount of pollen from the plants in your area and having a spoon of this each day can help your body build up a tolerance to this pollen. The idea is that over time your body will get used to the small doses of pollen and will become less sensitive.

2. Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits and lemons are high in vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant. When our bodies react to pollen, they produce histamines which cause allergy symptoms and inflammation. Vitamin C is a natural anti histamine which can alleviate common hay fever symptoms.

3. Pineapple

This fruit can soothe irritation that comes with hay fever and alleviate sore eyes and a runny nose due to an enzyme called bromelain. This can also help thin mucus making it easier to exit the body. Add pineapple to your daily diet by enjoying it fresh or incorporating it into smoothies and salads.

4. Ginger

Ginger is another powerful and natural anti-inflammatory ingredient that can alleviate hay fever symptoms. Incorporate this into your diet through ginger shots, fresh ginger tea or add it into your meals.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric is believed to help with a range of health problems so it’s no surprise that the spice can help combat hay fever. Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help with congestion and a stuffy nose. You can incorporate turmeric into smoothies or take turmeric shots.