Foods for Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion is when your nasal passages become blocked, usually due to an inflammation of blood vessels within the sinuses or nasal polyps. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including allergies and the common cold. Sinus congestion can make hearing and speech more difficult, as well as inhibiting good sleep due to an increase in snoring. If you are experiencing common cold symptoms, you may be wondering if there are any foods that relieve nasal congestion.
The good news is there are many different foods that can help ease sinus congestion:
1. Spicy foods
Anything spicy will assist in clearing out your sinuses, at least temporarily. The capsaicin present in peppers and other spicy foods can break up mucus and cause a runny nose, a blessing when you are all stuffed up. Adding cayenne pepper or jalapenos to a meal is a way to easily clear out sinuses and breathe easier. However, be sure not to overdo your intake of capsaicin, it can also work to increase mucus production leaving your nose runny instead of stuffed.
2. Ginger
Ginger can also help relieve congestion. Ginger tea or even bottled ginger ale can have the same impact. Anything containing real ginger or ginger extract, not just ginger flavor, can help soothe your pain.
3. Warm broth or chicken soup
The commonly prescribed home remedy of chicken soup can also be helpful. Chicken soup has been found to be more effective than other liquids that were studied at clearing mucus in the nasal passages. However anything warm can aid in relieving this distress.
4. Hot tea
Hot tea or other warm liquids can help clear your sinuses as well. The warm liquid works to release some of the buildup in the sinuses and provide relief.
5. Honey
Adding honey to your hot beverage, or consuming it on it’s own can also aid in congestion relief. Honey will also work to soothe a throat irritated by congestion.
6. Foods to avoid
In contrast, some foods work to increase mucus production and make your congestion even worse. At the top of this list are dairy products. Dairy will thicken your mucus and can also accelerate the production of mucus in the body. Red meat is a great source of protein; unfortunately, this is the same reason it may lead to mucus accumulating in your body. Wine and other alcoholic beverages can also make your congestion worse. Wine contains histamines that can swell the nasal tissues, and gluten in beer and other alcohols can lead to more congestion. Sugar can also have a negative impact on your nasal passages, increasing mucus when consumed in large amounts. Overall, any of these items are fine in small amounts, but may be worth not eating when you are already feeling sick and congested.