Title: 5 Foods and Drinks That May Affect Asthma | Everyday Health
Headings: 5 Foods That May Trigger Asthma Flares
5 Foods That May Trigger Asthma Flares
Processed foods and certain high-fat foods have been linked to worse asthma symptoms.
Artificial Sweeteners
Processed Foods
Fatty Foods
Wine and Beer
Dairy
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Content: “Food allergy symptoms can mirror — or even worsen — the symptoms of asthma and vice versa,” says Peg Strub, MD, the chief of the allergy department at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Francisco. It’s best for people with breathing difficulties to avoid chemicals, like aspartame, that can cause allergic reactions, she says. 537
Processed Foods
Juan Moyano/Stocksy
Many processed foods contain preservatives and artificial colorings that may worsen lung inflammation. “A lot of highly processed foods, such as fast foods, deep-fried foods, packaged foods, and frozen foods, seem to increase asthma symptoms,” McCormack says. She advises her asthma patients to limit these foods and instead focus on in-season whole fruits and vegetables. Research suggests that following a traditional Western diet, which is high in fat and processed foods, is linked to higher risk of asthma than following a diet with less processed food, according to a study published October 2014 in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. And a study published in March 2017 in Thorax found eating processed meat four or more times per week was associated with worsened asthma symptoms over a seven-year period. Although the evidence for the effect of specific additives on asthma symptoms is limited, you may want to be wary of the following, according to the AAFA: Parabens Preservatives used in foods and medicines
Tartrazine A dye used in sugary drinks, ice cream, and hot dogs
Nitrates and nitrites Preservatives used in processed meats such as hot dogs, bologna, and salami
“As a general rule, if it came from a plant, eat it,” Dr. Gundersen says. “ If it was made in a plant, don’t eat it.”