Seasonal allergies: Foods to avoid and foods to favour

Cinzia Cuneo 5 maggio, 2016 allergie, salute

Springtime is a difficult time for those who suffer from seasonal allergies because their immune systems react excessively to normally inoffensive stimuli, like pollen. The body identifies pollen as an invader and to fight, generates a chemical called histamine which normally protects the body. It’s what produces the usual symptoms of seasonal allergies: coughing, sniffling, sneezing, watery eyes, etc.

Foods to Avoid

Not everything is as simple when it comes to allergies, since certain foods can worsen your condition. It’s the case with foods already rich in histamines, like aged cheeses and fermented foods.

In addition, a cross-reaction can occur between the proteins of certain fruit and vegetables (and some nuts) and those of allergenic pollen. This can cause the so-called “oral allergy syndrome” that is to say, instead of the usual sniffles or sneezes, these foods will cause a scratchy throat or palate.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) has compiled a list of foods to avoid according to the type of allergen in order to reduce complications.

If you are allergic to grass (hay fever), it can really help to avoid celery, peaches, tomatoes and melons.

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Autori

Cinzia Cuneo

Italiana di nascita e canadese d'adozione, Cinzia ha deciso di coniugare le sue competenze professionali e la sua passione per la buona tavola sviluppando un servizio per aiutare i numerosi «aventi bisogno» a riprendere il controllo della loro alimentazione. Così è nata SOSCuisine. Ingegnere di formazione al Politecnico di Torino, Cinzia ha conseguito un Master's Degree in scienze applicate all'École Polytechnique de Montréal.