Did you know that what you eat can have an effect on your nasal allergies? Scientific research is constantly uncovering the impact of interactions between food and systems in our bodies. Read on to learn what scientists have just learned and how it might help you.
Oily Fish and Nasal Allergies
In July 2015, Swedish researchers published a study showing the link between eating oily or fatty fish and nasal allergies. They discovered that children who regularly ate salmon and other fatty fish such as mackerel and herring were less likely to develop nasal allergies.
Researchers studied 1,970 children born in the same year. When the children were eight years old, the scientists asked their parents to fill out a questionnaire about how frequently their children ate common foods in Sweden. Then, they monitored those children to determine whether they developed nasal inflammation (known scientifically as rhinitis) by the age of 16.
The scientists saw a link between consuming oily or fatty fish and the drop in allergic rhinitis. There was also a relation between eating oily fish and low occurrences of non-allergic rhinitis.
Diet and Rhinitis
It’s possible that a diet high in oily fish might help people avoid nasal allergies. Another possibility is that someone’s general diet could have a positive effect on this aspect of their health.
Diana Di Fabio, a pediatric dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, speculated that a healthy diet with a variety of items from all food groups might also be helpful in promoting general well-being. She suggested that children who eat oily fish might consume more omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, and that their diet might be more complete. As a result, they’re healthier than their pickier peers. Di Fabio wasn’t involved in the Swedish study.
The Swedish research team admits that there are factors they didn’t examine during the course of their study, such as how much fish the children’s mothers consumed during pregnancy, or whether the children ate fish when they were much smaller. In the meantime, it’s a good start for scientists interested in discovering the links between diet and health.
Houston Sinus & Allergy: Your Allergy Experts
Are you interested in learning how diet can play a role in treating allergies? Contact Houston Sinus & Allergy today.
At Houston Sinus & Allergy, we treat patients with every kind of allergy, and nasal allergies are common, and completely treatable.
Dr. Nguyen has over ten years experience specializing in allergy treatments, and can assess your situation to provide you with the relief you seek. Click here to book an assessment, or call us at (832) 237-7777.
