With a diet enriched with these foods, individuals allergic to spring can find comfort and relief

Citrus fruits. There are several studies that prove the power of vitamin C and what better way to get a load of C but with citrus fruits. Oranges, lemons and grapefruit, among others, are rich sources of this vitamin.

Red grapes. One of the most troublesome effects of allergies is the inflammation that comes with it. Eating foods rich in antioxidants can help lessen inflammation that may occur in the entire body. What antioxidants do is work for the protection of the cells from oxidative damage. Such may cause several diseases. Moreover, the red grapes skin is also rich in resveratrol which is equally effective for anti-inflammation.

Broccoli. A blocked up sinus can be relieved by eating broccoli. But that is not the only benefit to this produce. It is also enriched with vitamin C. As a matter of fact, according to researchers, a cup of raw broccoli contains up to 80mg of the vitamin.

Collard greens Collard greens contain phytochemicals, specifically carotenoids. This component is well known for easing allergic reactions. To further boost the effects of carotenoids contained in collard greens, allergy stricken individuals should consume the vegetable with a fat source.

Nuts. Nuts are filled with magnesium and vitamin E. Magnesium can work against wheezing that often comes with asthma. Vitamin E, on the other hand, can help improve immunity. This vitamin also works to aid the body’s protection against free radicals, thereby preventing inflammation and damage on the tissue.

Apples. According to a Crete diet study, individuals who eat apples regularly have greater chances of protection from allergies and asthma. This fruit contains quercetin which is a kind of flavonoid that is effective for use against inflammation. The peel from apple is also rich in antioxidants, specifically polyphenols which protect the cells from damage.

Fish. Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3s can also help improve the immune system so the body can better fight off allergies.

Onions and garlic. Onions and garlic are also rich in quercetin. As a matter of fact, they can act much like how an antihistamine does which make them very effective when incorporated to an anti-spring allergy diet.

There are plenty of food solutions around to compound the nasty effects of spring allergies. The best part is these are all natural solutions and they can be enjoyed as food as well. Individuals who are prone to suffering from spring allergies should ensure that their diet is packed with these eight kinds of food to better protect themselves and avoid suffering from all the uncomfortable and troublesome allergic reactions the season brings.

Sources for this article include

http://healthland.time.com

http://www.mnn.com

http://www.organicgardening.com

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It’s All In The Grape

For centuries, wine has been credited for a myriad of health benefits, however little is said about primary constituent. Consuming grapes protect against high blood pressure, ultraviolet radiation, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, alzheimer’s and even disables viruses. New research shows that grapes may also help protect against organ damage associated with the progression of metabolic syndrome.

The grape polyphenol powerhouse resveratrol, has been erroneously credited to the wine industry for years to further promote red wines around the world as healthy and even anti-aging beverages. However, the consumption of wine is not necessary to benefit from resveratrol–all you need are grapes and their seeds.

Compounds found in grapes help to protect skin cells from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

Grapes also have anti-fungal agents that help prevent cancer.

Resveratrol is believed to have an anti-aging effect as it boosts activity of a protein called SIRT.

Rats fed resveratrol do not develop insulin resistance or a loss of bone mineral density, as those who were not fed resveratrol.

The potential health benefits of resveratrol may be due to its ability to activate the powerful fat controlling hormone adiponectin.

Intake of grape seeds or grape seed extracts can also reduce blood pressure and protect against obesity-induced organ damage caused by high-fat diets.

In a study, led by investigator E. Mitchell Seymour, Ph.D., of the University of Michigan Health System, studied the effects of a high fat, American-style diet both with added grapes and without grapes (the control diet) on the heart, liver, kidneys, and fat tissue in obesity-prone rats. The grapes — a blend of red, green and black varieties — were provided as a freeze-dried grape powder and integrated into the animals’ diets for 90 days.

Specifically, the results showed that three months of a grape-enriched diet significantly reduced inflammatory markers throughout the body, but most significantly in the liver and in abdominal fat tissue. Consuming grapes also reduced liver, kidney and abdominal fat weight, compared with those consuming the control diet. Additionally, grape intake increased markers of antioxidant defense, particularly in the liver and kidneys.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together — increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist or low HDL (the good cholesterol) and increased blood triglycerides — significantly increasing the risk for heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. Intake of fruits and vegetables is thought to reduce these risks, and grapes have shown benefits in multiple studies. Metabolic syndrome is a major public health concern, and is on the rise in the U.S.

“Our study suggests that a grape-enriched diet may play a critical role in protecting against metabolic syndrome and the toll it takes on the body and its organs,” said Seymour. “Both inflammation and oxidative stress play a role in cardiovascular disease progression and organ dysfunction in Type 2 diabetes. Grape intake impacted both of these components in several tissues which is a very promising finding.”

This work extends and reinforces the findings of Seymour’s previously published research which demonstrated that a grape-enriched diet reduced risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in obesity-prone rats.

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