After a long, hard winter, spring is finally here! This means budding leaves, blossoming flowers, blooming trees \u2013 and, if you\u2019re if you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from allergies, sneezing, a stuffy head, runny nose and other irksome symptoms that can put a damper on the new season.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no doubt about it \u2013 seasonal allergies (also known as hay fever and allergic rhinitis) can be a misery. You may already take steps to manage your seasonal allergy symptoms such as using an air purifier, dusting more frequently, and stocking up on over-the-counter remedies. But did you know that a diet rich in fruit can also help keep allergies under control at any time of the year?<\/p>\n
While a diet rich in fruits and vegetables won\u2019t necessarily banish allergy symptoms entirely, it can go a long way towards making you more comfortable during allergy season. Alongside taking other allergy-alleviating steps (such as using an air purifier or taking an over-the-counter allergy-relief medication), eating lots of fresh, delicious fruit can help allergy sufferers to make the most of spring (and summer and fall as well).<\/p>\n
What Makes Fruit So Helpful in Managing Allergy Symptoms?<\/strong><\/p>\n We tend to think of fruit as being good for sicknesses (both preventing them and helping us to recover from them more quickly). What\u2019s interesting to note is that many of the nutrients found in fresh fruit that help fight cold and flu bugs also help reduce and soothe allergy symptoms as well. Here are a few of the most important ones:<\/p>\n What is it, exactly, that causes sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes, and hives, among other symptoms, when we experience an allergic reaction? The answer: histamine.<\/p>\n Histamine is a chemical the body releases while it\u2019s having an allergic reaction. Antihistamines help relieve the symptoms caused by an allergic reaction by keeping histamine from binding to sensitive receptors in the body. You\u2019ve probably taken antihistamine medications before, but did you know that vitamin C is a natural<\/em> antihistamine?<\/p>\n A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C protects cells from damage caused by free radicals that contribute to inflammation. By inhibiting inflammatory cells that release histamine, vitamin C helps counteract the inflammatory allergic response, easing symptoms before they start. Vitamin C also helps break down histamine that has already been released, providing relief from symptoms after they\u2019ve started.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf4a Many fruits are rich in vitamin C, including all citrus<\/strong><\/a> fruits (such as Navel<\/strong> Oranges<\/strong><\/a>, Ruby Red Grapefruit<\/strong><\/a> and Tangerines<\/strong><\/a>. Peaches<\/strong><\/a> are another example of a fruit that is a good source of vitamin C.<\/p>\n Another antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals is quercetin, a naturally occurring plant pigment that belongs to the flavonoid family.<\/p>\n In addition to anti-inflammatory properties, quercetin also has antiviral properties which can help soothe cell irritation. Like vitamin C, quercetin is a natural antihistamine that helps soothe calm agitated cells that are reacting to allergens.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf52 Apples<\/strong><\/a> are an excellent source of quercetin, so you\u2019ll want to make sure you have plenty on hand during the fall season when ragweed pollen, mold spores, and dust mites can trigger sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat, coughing, post-nasal drip, headache and fatigue. For relief from reactions to tree pollen and other summertime allergy triggers, try incorporating cherries<\/strong><\/a> into your diet.<\/p>\n\n
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