It’s the time of year that allergy sufferers know too well. As the trees start to bloom and the temperatures start to rise, so do seasonal allergies. An allergy can be defined as a symptomatic reaction to a normally harmless environmental antigen, such as pollen. Specific cells of your immune system respond by releasing a substance called histamine which makes your sneeze, sniffle and scratch. These responses are intended to rid the body of any potential harm. A new study in the American Society of Nutrition has shown that supplementing a combination probiotic for eight weeks during the allergy season improved the symptoms of allergy in otherwise healthy individuals. Cultured dairy like yogurt and kefir are the best dietary sources of probiotics, although choices like sauerkraut, miso, and kombucha are gaining increased attention for their potential probiotic content.
Contributor:
Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute
Science for Healthier Food
We bring the voice of science to some of the most challenging questions facing the food and beverage industry day to day through our network of over 1000 Kerry scientists, external collaborators, and our Scientific Advisory Council. Our content comes straight from scientists and experts in nutrition, taste, food, and sensory sciences to make sure we are providing up-to-date, credible information to guide people shaping the future of food.
