UK households are being urged to ditch drinking coffee in the morning as the caffeine could actually be doing more harm than good. While most of us need a little kick-start to get going in the morning and turn to coffee for that much needed energy boost, you may regret glugging it later in the day.
Coffee may be rich in caffeine which can help make you feel more awake, but it also has a high histamine content, which can make hay fever symptoms worse. Histamine is a naturally occurring compound that can trigger allergy symptoms, which include a runny or blocked nose, itchy and watery eyes, and sneezing, among others. While coffee doesn’t cause the allergic reaction, it can cause an inflammatory response that makes hay fever worse
Herbal health specialists A.Vogel explain: “Most of you probably use coffee as a crutch to get out of bed in the mornings. Throughout the day you can crave caffeine, especially if hay fever is already making you feel a bit like a zombie, however it can be the worst thing to reach for.
“Caffeine can stress the adrenal glands, which are already working overtime to produce enough cortisol to counter the inflammatory effects of histamine. When your adrenals become fatigued, the symptoms of hayfever can become much worse, making you even more miserable.
“Coffee can also be considered a diuretic if it is consumed in excess, which can then dehydrate you, having even more negative implications for your immune system.”
It’s estimated that around 16 million people in the UK suffer from hay fever and as pollen is released until around September, it means many months ahead of battling symptoms.
Hay fever season typically begins in late March and lasts until September, with tree pollen being released first. Grass pollen – which is what most people have an allergy to – follows from around mid-May until July, and the season ends with the release of weed pollen until September.
There is no cure for hay fever but it can be managed by taking an antihistamine or using a nasal spray, but the Met Office says often the best way to manage symptoms is through prevention – which includes ditching your morning coffee.
Neil Laird, Specialist Optometrist at Pure Optical, says switching to decaf coffee is a better option during the hay fever season, or if you’re feeling adventurous, nettle tea has natural antihistamine properties so is a good option for your morning beverage.
He explains: “Pollen triggers an allergic response that causes the body to release histamine, leading to inflammation, redness, and excessive tear production. For many, this isn’t just a mild irritation, it can be downright debilitating.
“Research suggests caffeine can increase histamine levels, meaning your morning cup of coffee could be making your symptoms worse. Switching to herbal tea or decaf coffee could help keep your eyes calmer.
“While stepping on them might give you a rash, nettles actually have natural antihistamine properties and may help reduce inflammation caused by pollen allergies. If you are foraging for nettles, be sure to wear gloves and wash them thoroughly.”
