Common hay fever symptoms occur when the immune system reacts to allergens and include teary, itchy eyes, sore throat, and runny and congested nose.
When an individual breathes in the allergen (pollen), the body releases a natural chemical called histamine, which triggers an allergic response.
Health experts explained that quercetin is an antioxidant found in many common foods, which has been proven to help relieve allergies.
It is thought to block enzymes that contribute to inflammation, such as histamine.
One study, conducted on 66 people in Japan, found that those who took 200 mg of “quercetin” daily for 4 weeks saw a decrease in allergy symptoms, such as itchy eyes, sneezing, and runny nose, compared to people who took a placebo.
The following is a group of foods rich in quercetin, which can reduce seasonal allergies:
1. Dark chocolate
"You can enjoy two squares of dark chocolate (the best is one with a cocoa content of 70% or more) to satisfy your cravings while getting some hayfever quercetin," says nutritionist Chloe Thomas.
2. Chamomile tea
It can help stop sneezing attacks caused by hay fever, thanks to quercetin found in chamomile flower.
3. Herbs
“Add herbs, such as parsley, dill, coriander, thyme and sage, to your dishes to enhance flavor and increase quercetin intake,” says Chloe.
4. Apples
“Incorporating quercetin-rich apples will help reduce symptoms, but be sure to eat the peel,” says Chloe.
5. Tomatoes
Quercetin is often found in colorful foods, and tomatoes are one of the best sources.
“To preserve the quercetin content in tomatoes, eat them raw or choose cooking methods that preserve the nutrients,” says Chloe.
6. Onions
“You can add onions to stir-fries with mixed greens or a Greek salad for a quick quercetin hit,” says Chloe.
7. Sweet pepper
“Quercetin is thought to work with vitamin C,” says Chloe, so eat peppers with broccoli or other vitamin C-rich vegetables.