The Strange Connection Between Pollen Allergies and Food
As if allergy sufferers don’t have enough to worry about, here’s something else to consider: the connection between pollen allergies and food. Here’s how they’re related:
Mucus Mischief Makers
Some foods, including milk and dairy products, like cheese and yogurt, may thicken the mucus in your body. While you need mucus to rid the body of foreign substances, it needs to be clear and runny to do the job. That’s because the thicker the stuff, the harder it is to travel through your body. As a result, instead of being cleared out through your nose and mouth, the allergens get trapped. Ultimately, you want to avoid foods that will increase the thickness of mucus.
Histamine-Producers
Some foods, especially those that have been aged, pickled, or fermented may inhibit your body to produce histamine. This substance, which is produced by yeast or bacteria in the fermentation process, is also released by your body when fighting allergens, causing allergy symptoms. The fix: Avoid histamine-rich food and drinks, including dried fruits like raisins, foods that contain vinegar, wine and beer. By doing so, you can reduce the amount of histamine your body releases, thereby potentially decreasing your allergy symptoms.
Cross-Reactors
Some of the proteins in certain fruits and vegetables are related to those found in the pollens that cause seasonal allergies. For that reason, especially when you eat these foods uncooked, your body may mistake them for pollen, causing what’s known as a cross-reaction. Cross-reactions may cause symptoms such as itchiness or tingling in the throat. The fruits and veggies to avoid depend on the specific pollens that cause your allergic reactions. If you’re allergic to birch tree pollen, for example, stay away from almonds, cherries, and parsley, among other foods. If alder tree pollen is a problem, avoid peaches and pears Allergic to grass pollen? Try not to eat melons, tomatoes, and oranges.
At the same time, just cutting down on allergy-exacerbating foods probably isn’t enough to decrease your allergy symptoms significantly. That step needs to be just one part of your overall effort to defend against pollen allergies. Other crucial moves for clearing the air include keeping windows closed, frequent house cleaning, and using a smart air purifier with a HEPA filter, like Airmega.
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 100, 150, 160, AP-1216L, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
10Terms and conditions apply. Discounts, including promotions, coupons, bundle discount and subscription discount, cannot be stacked on top of other coupons. During promotional periods, discount codes will not be able to be applied to orders. Promo codes may apply to products only—filters, accessories, and new products within 3 months of the release date are not included.
