An estimated 600 million people suffer from hay fever and with peak pollen season looming a season when grasses, plants, and seeds release pollen into the air, the outdoor enjoyment of hay fever sufferers can be ruined.
However, there may be hope on the horizon for the hundreds of thousands of Irish people who suffer constant sneezing, itchy eyes, blocked nose, and headaches as a result of hay fever. Research has revealed that a daily dose of probiotic could improve the immune status of sufferers.
Scientists at the Institute of Food Research have found that the bacteria found in Yakult could modulate the body’s immune system response to grass pollen — one of the most common causes of hay fever.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen or fungal spores, most commonly grass pollen. The immune system mistakes the spores for harmful invaders and produces excessive amounts of an antibody to bind to them and fight them off. This antibody stimulates the release of histamine to flush out the spores, and this irritates the airways making them swell and produce the symptoms of hay fever. In the study conducted those who drank Yakult “changed the way the body’s immune cells respond to grass pollen, restoring a more balanced immune response”.
Simple tips from Yakult:
Keep away from freshly mown lawns
Keep doors and windows shut at home and in the car, especially early morning and late evening when plants and flowers release pollen and air begins to cool.
Keep an eye on the pollen count forecast. When the pollen count exceeds 50 is when hay fever symptoms normally manifest.
Try to avoid spending long periods of time outdoors when it is windy, as wind provides an easier route for pollen to come into contact with your nose, eyes, mouth, and skin.
Drink a probiotic such as Yakult every day to help support your body’s natural defences.
