Reason
Dr G Sushma, Clinical Dietitian, CARE Hospital, Banjara Hills (India) – said that although there is no direct link between eating fruits leading to cold and stuffy nose. However, there are some cases when consuming fruits can cause the body to react similar to when having a cold.
When the immune system reacts to certain fruits related to a food allergy or intolerance, symptoms can include nasal congestion and stomach upset, explains Dr. Sushma.
Histamine is a chemical produced in the body that reacts to allergens. When you consume fruits, if your body is allergic to them, histamine is released as an immune response. This often causes sneezing and a runny nose. Fruits such as papaya, bananas, cherries, and oranges have high levels of histamine that can cause such reactions.
“When fruit is not digested in the stomach, it can lead to fermentation, causing discomfort due to gas reflux and bloating. These symptoms are similar to nasal congestion and are often mistaken for a cold,” explains Sushma.
People with weak immune systems are more susceptible to indigestion and cold-like symptoms, Sushma said.
Solution
Dr. Sushma advises that one should consult a healthcare professional to know if one has any food allergies and follow the recommendations and adopt a diet as advised by the doctor.
If consuming certain nutrients like vitamin C can aggravate existing health problems, especially colds and flu, it's best to avoid fruits high in vitamin C.
Consume fruit in moderation and try adding a variety of fruits to your diet, rather than just consuming certain fruits every day.
Sushma also recommends adding fresh vegetables, seeds, nuts as well as protein sources to a balanced diet.
