food that causes sinus food that causes sinus

8 Harmful Food that Causes Sinus

Sinusitis bothers almost 10% to 30 % of the population of Europe and the US. Acute sinusitis affects 3 in 1000 people in the UK. Chronic sinusitis discomfort 1 in 1000.

Food correlates with your health. If you eat healthily, you can keep many health problems at bay. But despite being nutritious, some food items cause allergies and trigger various health problems. One such health difficulty is sinusitis. If you eliminate food that causes sinuses from your diet, you will find some relief.

Apart from counter medicines and seeking medical help, a slight change in diet can ease your symptoms. In this article, we have mentioned the food that causes sinusitis. Here is also a list of food that eases out sinus suffering.

How Food Agrevates Sinusitis?

Sinuses are the air-filled cavities around the nose and eyes area. These are:

  • Ethinodal sinuses: Settle behind bones and between your eyes.
  • Maxillary sinuses: Settle below your eyes in the cheekbones.
  • Sphenoidal sinuses: Settle behind your eyes and ethmoid sinuses.
  • Frontal sinuses: Settle behind the forehead bone and above each of your eyes.

These sinuses are coated with a thin mucus layer which, filters air and restricts the entry of bacteria. But when fluid enters these air-filled cavities, it spurs bacterial growth. It causes the lining of the sinuses to swell, which makes you feel congested. It leads to allergic rhinosinusitis.

Foods with inflammatory properties cause congestion and increase the production of mucus. Some foods are high in casein and, histamine or any food intolerance (allergy) can make histamine production in large amounts. These are food that causes sinusitis.

If you are dealing with allergic rhinosinusitis, a change in diet can work for your best.

8 Food That Causes Sinus

1. Rice

food that causes sinus -rice
image source:alien0417 /pixabay

Rice is a type of food that causes sinusitis. It could be a staple food item of your diet but, its inflammatory properties make it a food that worsens your sinus experience. It is advised to avoid rice at dinner if you have sinusitis. Especially consuming rice with yoghurt at night is not a good idea.

2. Spicy Food

spicy food
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Spices can aggravate the sinus. A published study discloses acidity could cause sinusitis. Sometimes stomach juices include acidity flowing backwards, which triggers heartburn, cough, and mucus building up in the throat. It is called Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Spicy foods increase acidity, which affects body PH levels. When you are asleep, this acid flows upward and travels to your stuffy nose. It leads to inflammation in the sinusitis and nasal lining. It also causes congestion.

3. Fried foods, Fermented drinks, and Alcohol

alcohol - food that causes sinus
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Fried foods are high in trans fatty acids that cause systematic inflammation in the body. It exaggerates your sinus.

Alcohol does not go along with the sinus. So if you are planning a drink or two, you should drop it. Alcohol dehydrates your body and makes the nasal cavity swell. It thickens mucus that will worsen your sinus.

4. Dairy Products

food that causes sinus
image source : couleur / pixabay

Dairy products top the list of food that causes sinuses.
Casein is found in milk and its by-products. Lactose intolerance is because of casein present in it. It causes inflammation and accelerates sinusitis. It contributes to mucus production and hence is not a good option if you already have sinusitis.

Curd increases mucus production and avoids curd if you feel congested despite being packed with good bacteria.

Cheese has been related to aggravating sinuses because of casein as its main component. It spurs allergy and, avoiding processed cheese is best.

5. Chocolates

food that causes sinus - chocolate
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Your favourite chocolates are a part of the list of food that causes sinus. It contains milk (high in casein), refined sugar, and cocoa (phenylethylamine). These ingredients are inflammatory and can cause nasal passages to swell due to allergic reasons. You must avoid chocolates if you already have sinuses or if allergic to any of these ingredients.

6. Bananas

bananas
image source : stevepb / pixabay

Bananas are full of nutrients but, they have a cooling effect. Because of its cooling nature, one must avoid its consumption at night. The cooling nature causes congestion by contributing to the production of phlegm.

7. Refined Sugars

refined sugar
image source: Shirley 810 / pixabay

Refined sugar is hidden in food that causes sinuses. Refined sugars are pro-inflammatory and cause low inflammation in the body that may trigger already existing sinuses. This refined sugar is found in drinks, sweets, sauces, and even in processed food snacks.

8. High-gluten food (wheat, pasta)

gluten rich food
image source : riopix / pixabay

If you are allergic to gluten1, your body may produce histamine. It is produced by our cells if they encounter any foreign particle. It is how our immune system responds when we find something unwanted.

They transmit a message to the brain and, it signals for the production of histamine. It increases inflammation that can aggravate already existing sinuses.

8 Foods that go Along with Sinus

Some foods help in relieving sinus symptoms because of their anti-inflammatory properties. They can serve as a quick remedy for relaxation from the sinus2, but it is not a substitute for prescribed medicines.

Below are some foods that better your immune that relieve congested nose as well soothe swollen nasal.

1. Turmeric

food good for sinus - turmeric
image source: steve pb / pixabay

It is an Indian spice containing curcumin. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in soothing inflammation in the body.

2. Garlic

Garlic is known for its immune-boosting properties. Better immunity means less cold and flu which is also the main reason for sinus.

3. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are a bundle of vitamin C that reduces inflammation. They make your immune system strong and are a natural source of antihistamines3. All citrus foods are rich in antioxidants.

4. Green Leafy Vegetables, Red, and Yellow Bell Peppers

bell peppers
image source : hans / pixabay

Green leafy vegetables and capsicum have high vitamin A and vitamin C levels. These veggies maintain a healthy mucus membrane.

5. Avocado, Nuts, and Seeds

avocado and nuts
image source: explore bob / pixabay

Omega-3 fatty acids have natural inflammation reduction properties and hence benefit the sinus. Therefore one can have avocado nuts and seeds are a rich source of Omega-3 4fatty acids.

6. Spinach, Tofu, Fish, and Broccoli

These all are good sources of vitamin E which is known for its immunological 5effects and keeps fever at bay. It improves the sinus.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

apple cider vinegar
image source : mike goad / pixabay

Apple cider vinegar is full of potassium which reduces the production of mucus and makes your sinus better. However, drinking apple cider vinegar is not easy. You can have diluted apple cider vinegar to ease out sinus effects.

8. Herbal Tea

herbal tea
image source : congerdesign / pixabay

Tea is a perfect option during winter for congestion. Apart from making you feel warm, it relieves your sore throat and congestion. You can add ginger, chamomile, or peppermint to water. Let it boil for ten minutes, strain, and drink. Herbal tea reduces inflammation and also reduces mucus buildup.

Key Takeaways

The food that causes sinus, one should stay away from it if you are experiencing chronic sinusitis. Anti-inflammatory foods need a regular place in your diet. Herbal teas are great if you seek relief from congestion.

To read more such articles, click here

Infographic That Explains 10 Easy Steps To Avoid Sinus Pain & Congestion
Icy Health
  1. Lundin, Knut EA, Margit Brottveit, and Gry Skodje. “Noncoeliac gluten sensitivity.” Coeliac Disease and Gluten-Related Disorders (2022): 177-195. ↩︎
  2. Dakay, Katarina, et al. “Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in COVID-19 infection: a case series and review of the literature.” Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases 30.1 (2021): 105434. ↩︎
  3. Parisi, G. F., et al. “Antihistamines in children and adolescents: A practical update.” Allergologia et Immunopathologia 48.6 (2020): 753-762. ↩︎
  4. Djuricic, Ivana, and Philip C. Calder. “Beneficial outcomes of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on human health: An update for 2021.” Nutrients 13.7 (2021): 2421. ↩︎
  5. Jeyanathan, Mangalakumari, et al. “Immunological considerations for COVID-19 vaccine strategies.” Nature Reviews Immunology 20.10 (2020): 615-632. ↩︎

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