How diet and behavior affect your symptoms

‍

When pollen flies in spring, a stressful period begins for many people. Sneezing, watery eyes, tiredness and concentration problems are part of everyday life for people with allergies.

What many don't know: Your diet and behavior have a direct impact on the intensity of your symptoms.

‍

What happens in the body when hay fever occurs?

‍

Hay fever is an overreaction of the immune system to actually harmless substances such as pollen.

The body releases histamine. A messenger substance that is responsible for typical symptoms:

- irritated mucous membranes

- congested or runny nose

- itchy eyes

- inflammatory reactions

👉 The body is in a permanent “state of alarm.”

‍

Foods that can increase hay fever

‍

🍬 Sugar promotes inflammation

‍

High sugar consumption can increase inflammatory processes in the body.

This results in:

- increased activity of inflammatory processes

- increased load on the immune system

- more intense allergic reactions

👉 Symptoms may last longer and be more severe

‍

🥛 Dairy products, mucus formation and irritation

‍

Dairy products can increase mucus formation in many people.

Potential effects:

- increased mucus formation in the nose and throat

- increased feeling of pressure in the sinuses

- difficult breathing

Especially during the pollen season, this can further aggravate the symptoms.

‍

☕ Caffeine and coffee! Influence on blood vessels and nervous system!

‍

Caffeine not only has a stimulating effect, but also has a direct effect on your blood circulation and vessels.

💡 What happens in the body:

‍

- Caffeine blocks adenosine → blood vessels constrict

- short-term increase in blood pressure and heart rate

- activation of the stress system (sympathetic nervous system)

‍

👉 In concrete terms, this means:

‍

- blood flow to certain mucous membranes may change

- the irritability of the body increases

- Inflammatory processes can be indirectly intensified

In addition, caffeine can have a negative effect on sleep and thus impair the regeneration of your immune system.

👉 Result: The body is more sensitive to pollen

‍

What really helps with hay fever?

‍

In addition to diet, your behavior in everyday life is decisive.

‍

🌅 Ventilate correctly

- Ventilate only early in the morning (when there is dew)

- This is when the pollen concentration is lowest

‍

🚿 Washing hair — particularly important

- Pollen settles in hair

- Ideally shower or wash your hair in the evening

👉 How not to bring pollen to bed

‍

👕 Change clothes

- Do not store worn clothes in the bedroom

- Otherwise, pollen stays in your immediate vicinity

‍

🏠 Protect living space

- Keep windows closed during the day

- Pollen screens can also help

‍

🧠 Stabilize the immune system

- enough sleep

- regular exercise

- reduce stress

👉 A balanced nervous system reacts less strongly to stimuli

‍

Nutrition as a support

‍

An adapted diet can help relieve your body during the pollen season.

‍

Recommended:

‍

- fresh, unprocessed food

- enough protein

- healthy fats (anti-inflammatory)

- enough liquid

‍

You should reduce:

‍

- sugar

- highly processed foods

- excessive caffeine consumption

‍

Conclusion: Your everyday life makes the difference

‍

You can't completely avoid hay fever, but you can actively influence the severity of your symptoms.

Anyone who consciously controls nutrition, behavior and regeneration helps their body to react more calmly and stably to pollen.

‍

👉 With M&G coaching We help you to optimally balance your everyday life, your training and your health, for more energy and fewer complaints.

‍