The best supplement for allergic rhinitis: live bacteria are proven to reduce symptoms in patients

Symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, coughing, red and watery eyes, nasal congestion or runny nose, loss of smell, itching, headache, and tiredness

Traditional fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, live yogurt, miso and kombucha, contain live bacteria and are a good way to give extra support to the intestinal flora

Bio-Kult’s nutrition therapist Hannah Braye said, “In addition to nourishing the intestines through food, studies have shown that live bacteria supplements, such as Bio-Kult’s advanced multi-strain formula, may benefit hay fever patients through interaction with the immune system.

Other ways to prevent hay fever in advance

Because hay fever is essentially an inflammatory state, it is recommended to follow an anti-inflammatory diet

Braye suggested: "The anti-inflammatory diet is basically a low-inflammation-promoting food, such as sugar, refined carbohydrates, vegetable oils, trans fats and allergens, high in antioxidants and phytonutrients from colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy fats.

Although antihistamines and decongestants (commonly used by patients with hay fever) may help relieve symptoms of hay fever, like many drugs, they can cause side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea

Hannah Braye, a nutrition therapist at Bio Kult, believes that eating more quercetin and foods rich in vitamin C may be a good choice

She explained: "The phytonutrient quercetin is known for its anti-allergic properties and therefore is a useful additive in any anti-allergic diet

"The main food sources are vegetables, such as onions, garlic, and broccoli, fruits, such as apples, berries, and grapes, some herbs, and green and black teas

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is very important for immune regulation and inflammation control, Braye said, so in spring, summer, and autumn when pollen content is low, make sure you get enough sun outdoors (while keeping the sun safe)

She added: “Because we cannot synthesize vitamin D from sunlight between October and April, and it is difficult to obtain enough vitamin D from food, supplementing these in winter is particularly important to prevent hay fever

Braye continued: “Although the evidence is not conclusive, studies have shown that acupuncture may be beneficial for patients with hay fever