This immune-boosting smoothie recipe is perfect for fighting seasonal allergies
Most people with seasonal allergies will do anything to stop a stuffy nose, cough, itchy throat and other common symptoms. While nothing beats consistent treatment guided by an allergist, a delicious smoothie could be part of your allergy-busting arsenal.
This “super delicious, energy-boosting” smoothie is the creation of registered dietitian Keri Glassman, who tells Yahoo Lifestyle that some ingredients in it can help fight seasonal allergy symptoms.
Kefir
“Kefir is a yogurt-like drink that’s loaded with probiotics, those good bacteria that help improve your gut health,” according to Glassman. “Good gut health is linked to a better immune system and better overall health.” So while kefir won’t actually cure your seasonal allergies, it can help indirectly by boosting your immune system to better fight off allergens.
Raspberries
Raspberries are “loaded” with fiber and antioxidants, Glassman explains, adding that antioxidants can help fight “bad guy free radicals” in your body. One of those antioxidants is quercetin, which can act as an antihistamine. “That may help you fight those seasonal allergies,” says Glassman.
It seems strange that something as simple as raspberries could help combat allergies, but there’s something to this. “Quercetin does have anti-inflammatory effects and anti-histaminic effects,” says Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist and immunologist with the Allergy & Asthma Network. However, she notes, there are no good studies to show how well quercetin counteracts allergies immediately after you eat them or how well they work compared to antihistamines. Eating raspberries alone is unlikely to offer immediate relief from seasonal allergies, which is why Parikh recommends having the fruit along with your usual treatment regimen.
Honey
There is a widespread belief that eating local honey can help combat seasonal allergies. (The idea behind it is that local honey contains small amounts of pollen spores that can help build up your immunity.) While research has not found this to be true, “studies do show honey can help soothe cough or sore throat symptoms, so it may be a good natural replacement or addition to regularly prescribed medication,” says Parikh.
Again, nothing helps beat seasonal allergies like treatment prescribed from your doctor. But if drinking a delicious smoothie along with it can also help, well, there are worse things to try.
Smoothie Ingredients:
1 cup of kefir
1 cup of frozen raspberries
1 teaspoon of honey
1/4 cup of raw rolled oats
1 teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
Blend and serve!
