Dairy Foods Help Relieve Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Achew! A thin yellow layer of pollen has started to cover everything around the Southeast and many are beginning to suffer from seasonal allergies. The good news is relief from stuffy nose, congestion, and watery eyes could be as close as your kitchen.

Got Bugs?

Probiotics are praised for a variety of nutritional benefits and research suggests they may play a role in seasonal allergy relief. A probiotics study published in The World Journal of Gastroenterology showed consumption of probiotics helped decrease seasonal allergic response to pollen, specifically as it relates to nasal symptoms such as a runny or congested nose. Yogurt and yogurt drinks, such as kefir, are rich in probiotics. Two types of milk, sweet acidophilus and cultured buttermilk, also provide probiotics.

Increase Your Vitamin “D”-fense

Recent research shows low vitamin D levels are associated with increased allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and sinus infections. We get vitamin D from sunlight, but many of us work inside all day, limiting our exposure. Along with fatty fish and eggs, real dairy milk is one of the best dietary sources of vitamin D in the American diet. Sip your symptoms away while enjoying the health benefits of dairy with some of our delicious dairy drinks.

Spice It Up

If you like spicy foods, you are in luck. Research shows eating spicy foods help thin out mucus secretions and can clear nasal passages. Turn up the heat with our Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip or Spicy Sweet Potato Dip.

The next time you think there is no relief for your seasonal allergy symptoms, try nature’s prescription. Eating nutrient-rich foods can be a delicious way to breathe easy!

Lanier Dabruzzi, MS, RD, LD