Top 10 Anti-Allergy Superfoods

Allergies are one of the top reasons that people in the United States visit a doctor. Up to 50 million Americans have some type of allergy.

An allergy is an adverse reaction by your body’s immune system to a substance that does not bother other people who are not allergic to it.

Any substance that triggers an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Some common allergens are pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, latex, various foods, insect stings and certain medicines.

An allergic reaction can affect the nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach or the skin. It can cause a variety of symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, red eyes, wheezing, hives, flaky skin, skin rashes, shortness of breath, swelling or asthma. These symptoms can range from minor to severe and mostly depend on the allergen.

There are several ways to treat allergies to prevent annoying and troublesome symptoms. If you are prone to allergies, you can include some anti-allergy superfoods in your diet to prevent as well as alleviate the problem.

Here are the top 10 anti-allergy superfoods.

1. Apples

An apple a day can keep your immune system healthy and can keep allergies at bay. Apples are loaded with quercetin, a flavonoid known to effectively protect against allergic reactions. Quercetin stabilizes the cell membranes of mast cells and basophils, in turn preventing the release of excess histamine in your body.

Enjoy an apple daily, but be sure to eat organically grown apples. You can eat apples plain as a healthy snack, slice them into oatmeal or toss them in a fruit salad. A glass of apple juice is also a good choice.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is a powerful weapon to prevent allergies. It contains the active ingredient curcumin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that helps fight allergies. Plus, it works as a decongestant that can relieve many symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of hot milk and drink it once daily. You can also use turmeric in your cooking. Alternatively, take turmeric supplements after consulting a doctor.

3. Garlic

Garlic is another anti-allergy superfood that you must include in your diet. Its ability to inhibit the activity of certain enzymes that generate inflammatory compounds in the body can help prevent allergic reactions.

Plus, the anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antioxidant and immune-boosting properties of garlic can help keep the doctor away during the allergy season.

Eat one to two crushed raw garlic cloves daily to combat allergies. You can also opt to take garlic supplements after consulting a doctor.

4. Lemons

Lemons are an excellent immune-boosting fruit that can prevent allergies. It is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants. It also works as an antitoxin and helps keep your body alkaline.

Drink lemon water throughout the day to detoxify your body and get rid of toxins and impurities. Another option is to mix the juice of one lemon with olive oil to make a healthy dressing for salads and sandwiches.

5. Salmon

Salmon is a cold-water fish high in omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. These fatty acids are very good inflammation fighters and thus help calm your allergies. Also, salmon can improve lung functioning, thus reducing the intensity of allergy symptoms like asthma, congestion and cold-like symptoms.

Eat a minimum of two portions of salmon every week throughout the year and increase to three portions during the allergy season. Along with salmon, you can include mackerel, trout, herring and sardines in your diet.

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