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Super Allergen-Fighting Foods For Spring

2 min read

By Emily Lockhart

Medically Reviewed by Julie Ching, MS, RDN, CDE

Do you feel a sneeze coming on?

Spring is the worst allergy season! The temperature change from freezing to humid boosts the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and becomes a breeding ground for budding trees and allergenic pollen.

The good news is that you don’t have to sit back and just take it. You can blast the stuffed and miserable symptoms of allergies with the following 10 super allergen-fighting foods…

Apples

Apples are a rich source of an allergy-fighting flavonoid called quercetin—which not only packs serious anti-inflammatory properties in the peels, but also antioxidants to prevent cellular damage.

Oranges

Mom told you to drink orange juice to battle a cold, but did you know that one large naval orange packs almost 100 milligrams of vitamin C?

Broccoli

The “little green trees” are powerful allergy fighters for a few reasons. First, broccoli is high in vitamin C. Second, as a cruciferous plant, broccoli helps clear out sinuses passages and mucus.

Nuts

Nuts are not only a health-smart snack, a handful is also packed with magnesium, which soothes asthma, and vitamin E, which boosts immunity and eases inflammation.

Kale

Kale is a powerful allergy alley because it’s high in carotenoid pigments, which prevent allergy symptoms like wheezing and congestion.

Onions

Onions contain quercetin, a natural antihistamine that suppresses allergy symptoms.

Tomatoes

I bet you didn’t know that eating tomatoes come spring can strengthen your respiratory prowess and resistance to sinus swelling?

Fatty Fish

Fatty fillets of salmon, tuna, and mackerel are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which act as a natural anti-inflammatory to boost your immune system.

Parsley

Medical studies link parsley with lowering the secretions of allergy-causing histamines.

Red Grapes

Red grapes, or rather their skin, is a rich source of antioxidants and resveratrol—both which happen to have anti-inflammatory properties.

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MS, RDN, CDCES

Julie Ching is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator in Los Angeles. She decided to become a Dietitian after traveling through Europe, South America, and Asia and discovered a passion for food. She now works with people of all ages and varying disease states to improve their health. She is passionate about teaching people about nutrition so they can live their best life while still considering their cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

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