Emma Miller
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals. Hay fever (also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis) is a distorted immune response to inhaled pollen from local trees, grasses, and flowers.
Although not usually serious, the symptoms (such as sneezing, coughing, itching, redness, watery eyes, nasal congestion or runny nose, loss of smell, itching, headache, and fatigue) can be very uncomfortable and significantly affect the quality of life.
Although antihistamines and decongestants (commonly used by hay fever patients) can help relieve hay fever symptoms, like many medications, they can cause side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea.
According to Hannah Bray, a nutritionist at Bio-Kult, eating more quercetin and vitamin C-rich foods can be a good alternative.
The phytonutrient quercetin is known for its anti-allergic properties and is therefore a useful addition to any anti-allergic diet. It is believed that quercetin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine properties.
The main food sources are vegetables such as onions, garlic, and broccoli, fruits such as apples, berries, grapes, some herbs, and green and black tea.
Quercetin appears to work synergistically with vitamin C, so adding plenty of vitamin C-rich foods such as broccoli, kiwi, strawberries, peppers, and parsley is a good idea.
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals in allergic inflammatory reactions, and studies have shown that children with higher vitamin C intake had fewer hay fever symptoms.
Bray also recommends other natural ways to stop hay fever from ruining your summer.
Track the amount of pollen in your neighborhood
“Keeping track of the pollen counts in your area and, where possible, avoiding a lot of time outdoors when it’s at its highest can reduce exposure and irritation,” Bray advised.
She added: “It’s also recommended to keep windows and doors closed on high pollen days, and instead use fans or air conditioning to keep cool.”
Take a supplement with live bacteria
Around 70 percent of our immune cells are found in the lining of the digestive tract and are supported by and influenced by a variety of gut bacteria.
Bray said: “Research suggests that live bacteria supplements (such as Bio-Kult Advanced Multi-Strain Formulation) may benefit hay fever patients by interacting with the immune system, which alters the natural course of the allergic disease.
