Asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of a person’s airways, increasing the production of mucus and making it hard to breathe. This health condition can slightly hinder daily activities or lead to life-threatening situations, depending on how well it is managed. Diet plays a crucial role in this condition, and there are worst foods for asthma that one should avoid. Read on to know more about worst foods for asthma.

Sulfites

• Sulfites are one of the most problematic additives in food products for people with asthma.
• Dried fruits like cherries and raisins and pickle jars contain plenty of sulfites as preservatives.
• Common sulfite compounds include potassium bisulfite and sodium sulfite.
• Sulfites are also present in wine and beer.
• If one struggles to breathe or coughs after a cup of wine or a handful of dried fruits, they might be allergic to such foods, making it one of the worst foods to avoid for asthma.

Shrimp

• Shrimp, especially frozen shrimp, is one of the worst foods for asthma as it contains sulfite.
• Frozen shrimp (as well as other seafood) contains a lot of sulfites to discourage the development of black spots.

Any foods that cause an allergic reaction

While you’re looking for the worst foods for asthma patients, in particular, ensure you don’t forget about foods that cause an allergic reaction.

• These allergens can cause difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and coughing that can aggravate symptoms of asthma.
• Some common allergens include dairy, nuts, soy, fish, eggs, and shellfish.
• However, you can continue consuming foods that you are not allergic to.

Histamine

• Similar to sulfites, food products containing histamine are one of the worst foods for asthma patients.
• It is a naturally produced ingredient found in food products like yogurt, smoked meats, and mature cheese.
• Histamine is also found in wine and alcoholic beverages.

Eggs

• While egg-allergy generally causes symptoms such as hives on the skin, it can prove worse if one has asthma.
• Even little consumption can induce an asthma attack.
• Fortunately, egg allergies are generally temporary, and people outgrow it.

Salt

• Asthma symptoms such as inflammation and narrowing of the airways can worsen by excess salt.
• This is because salt causes fluid retention, which increases inflammation.
• Reducing your intake of salt can help prevent asthma attacks.

Wheat

• Albumin and globulin amino acids present in wheat can induce asthma attacks.
• Allergy to gluten in the wheat can trigger the immune system of the body to create antibodies that attack it, causing an asthmatic attack.

It is important to learn how food products affect your condition. If certain foods trigger an asthma attack, then you should avoid consuming them. Your body and its reactions are unique, making it important to know foods that aggravate symptoms of asthma.