Eat to beat hay fever

Eat to beat Hay Fever

The August winds that bring with it the promise of a new season blowing in. This promise, however – can bring with it dry air, lots of dust and one relentless tingle.

Lucky for us, Mother Nature once again has our backs 😉 She kicks butt with amazing foods to help fight away hay fever and she does it with a touch of elegance and a sprinkle of yum!

Here are 7 of our favorite foods that help relieve the symptoms associated with hay fever and a little insight as to why they react a certain way in your body.

1. Onions contain a natural antihistamine called quercetin which is anti-inflammatory, giving a whole new nutrient twist to a nice tomato and onion salsa.
2. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is the plant version of omega-3 in chia seeds and flax seeds has been shown to reduce inflammation which can calm hay fever symptoms.
3. An apple a day 😊 thanks again to the quercetin content in apples, studies have shown that they provide protection against allergies and asthma.
4. Broccoli (we know, it’s always on the list), this green veg is a member of the cruciferous family, which has been proven to clear blocked-up sinuses and as an added bonus is also high in vitamin C shown to reduce allergy symptoms.
5. Tomatoes are bursting with vitamin C, known to be excellent for boosting the immune system, producing a natural antihistamine, and building a tolerance against respiratory issues.
6. Eating purple foods like beetroot and purple cabbage which are rich in anthocyanins, may naturally alleviate inflammation and calm the reaction.
7. Resveratrol is an antioxidant that is found in the skin of blueberries. It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, resulting in fewer nasal allergy symptoms and less frequent wheezing.

Using food as your medicine can be so rewarding, there is no side effects and your body knows what to do with it. Keeping it as close to nature as possible. The trick here, is to experiment and find what works for your body.

We are sharing some delicious recipes that uses the above foods to combat the tickle of hay fever. Check out our recipe section.