Chocolate does not help you in managing the physical symptoms of hay fever; milk chocolate worsens them. However, vegan or dark chocolates definitely helps in making you feel better. Dark chocolate and cocoa contain an amino acid called tryptophan that the brain uses to produce the neurotransmitter Serotonin, which can increase feelings of overall happiness. Serotonin is a feel-good chemical and influences your mood.
Usually, there are no excuses needed to munch on some chocolate, but we’ll give you one anyway! A 2013 study found that cocoa’s polyphenols (a chemical compound) make cocoa antioxidant and potentially anti-allergy. The research also states that cocoa has anti-inflammatory properties, which could help with problems that accompany allergic rhinitis.
However, there are some things you must keep in mind about chocolate and allergic rhinitis!
As always, eat chocolate in moderation!
The chocolate must be at least 90% cocoa or go vegan.
Dark chocolate is best – milk and white chocolate won’t do the trick as these are high in histamine and would worsen your hay fever.
Drinking a hot vegan cocoa drink might help you clear your mind and nasal congestion in hay fever.
Ingredients
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 cups soy milk or another milk alternative
Recipe
In a saucepan, boil together water, sugar, and cocoa until the mixture is thoroughly blended. Add vanilla.
Add in soy milk and let it heat. Don’t let it boil.
Dairy products such as milk and milk products stimulate the lungs to produce more phlegm, causing congested noses or ears much worse. Matured cheeses also tend to have high levels of histamine. And sugar, which causes the body to produce more histamine, can further exacerbate hay fever symptoms. Therefore, chocolates do not help but are harmful to hay fever.
Foods such as ginger, coconut, turmeric, carom seeds, cumin, honey, hibiscus, chillies, black pepper and nutmeg are excellent sources of generating heat in the body which will help you survive in the hay fever season and maintain the hot and cold balance. You can refer to our hay fever relief guide for recipes infused with the above list of food. Once you follow the hay fever guide, you don’t have to live with irritating symptoms. You can learn to avoid hay fever triggers and find the proper treatment through us.
