13 Foods That Fight Allergies

There are many naturally-occurring plant compounds called phytonutrients that assist with allergies. The main ones include: anthocyanin, curcumin, hesperetin, and quercetin in your diet. Don’t worry about remembering their names. I’ve listed the food sources of each below. Of course, if you have a food allergy or sensitivity to one of the sources indicated, avoid that food.

Eat Foods Rich in Anthocyanins

The phytonutrient group known as anthocyanins give foods their purplish-red color. They have natural anti-inflammatory properties. Anthocyanins are found in most dark red and purple-colored foods. Some food sources include: beets, berries, cherries, and dark purple and red grapes.

Eat Curries to Benefit from Anti-Inflammatory Curcumin

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a yellow-colored spice commonly found in Indian curries. It contains the active ingredient curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance. Research has shown that ingesting 1200 mg of curcumin daily can have the same effect as anti-inflammatory drugs. You’d need to supplement to obtain that dose; however, you can also add fresh or dried turmeric to many foods: soups, curries, stews, salad dressings, etc. Be sure to avoid dairy-based curries or you’ll be undermining many of the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric since dairy products are mucous-forming.

Keep reading to learn about foods that help with sinus congestion, runny eyes, hay fever, and more..

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Duane B.

7:26AM PDT on May 5, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

May 5
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Teresa G.

1:58PM PDT on Mar 31, 2013

TY ;)

March 31
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Terry V.

6:25PM PDT on Mar 19, 2013

thanks

March 19
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Amira R.

7:42AM PST on Jan 30, 2013

I love how the thing I'm most allergic to is apples. Still, the rest of the tips won't go unnoticed. I'm up for trying anything to cure these allergies a little, especially if it involves eating delicious fruit.

January 30
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Melania P.

9:18AM PST on Jan 11, 2013

Thanks, re-shared!

January 11
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galina m.

1:48AM PST on Jan 8, 2013

A good article! It has inspired me to eat an apple at once.

January 8
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Dale O.

9:09PM PDT on Oct 9, 2012

Fabulous and so very tasty, a splendid way to deal with some of the more annoying allergies out there! So many friends have hay fever for instance and autumn is quite a difficult time of year for some.