PEA SPROUTS FOR FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND ALLERGIES
If you’re sensitive to histamine, the smoke from wildfires raging across the US has probably got you suffering with itchiness, dry eyes, difficulty breathing and inflammation. Here’s something you can do that’s easy and delicious to help calm down the histamine overreaction: Eat pea sprouts!
Also called Pea Shoots or Pea Tendrils, Pea Sprouts contain an enzyme called Diamine Oxidase (DAO) that helps break down histamine in the human body so you can flush it out safely. You might be asking “are sprouted peas actually better than whole peas or pea protein?” When it comes to allergies— YES! the sprouted pea has the high DAO content, and has more pantothenic acid and folate which also help control histamines by supporting methylation. (We’ll talk about this topic later.)
If you can’t find them at your local health food store or farmers market, they are actually pretty easy to grow and sprout at home as micro-greens. Did I mention pea shoots are really delicious? BONUS!!!! I love them in salads but also on top of some hot or cold soba noodles with sesame miso dressing. Add some slices of grilled eggplant or chicken for an IG-worthy Japanese style noodle dish.
Here’s a mini primer on sprouting peas at home:
https://homemicrogreens.com/how-to-grow-pea-shoots/
Some other foods that may help with your allergy symptoms includes Turmeric, which can prevent the release of histamine from mast cells. Ginger and Thyme are also histamine blockers and easy to incorporate in your menu. You should also put Quercetin on your radar, which works synergistically with Vitamin C and Zinc, and can be found in foods such as capers, red onions, citrus fruits, grapes, and berries.
Another easy way to get control of your allergy symptoms in a natural and non-drowsy way is to try our Herbologie Breathe Freely formula in capsules. It contains many of the ingredients mentioned above plus cordyceps, menaquinone, and butterbur. It’s been a life saver for me since I moved to the Bay Area. I do not have to take diphenhydramine or any other OTC allergy drug any more!
If you feel overreactive to certain foods and common substances like soaps, and think you might have a histamine intolerance, talk to your allergy specialist about getting tested for this. Always follow the advice of your health care provider before starting any new supplement and remember the most import rule of taking care of your health:
FOOD IS MEDICINE
By Monika Tournis
