The Mom Column

As a mom of a child with asthma and allergies I am always looking out for natural ways to help my child deal with this condition.  Recently I learned a little tidbit about oranges that may help sufferers with asthma and allergies.  According to a study by the British National Health Service, apples and oranges can help to reduce the frequency of allergy and asthma symptoms.  The study shows that drinking a glass of orange juice everyday was not proven to prevent every attack, but was found to reduce the wheezing.  Further studies found the reason for this decrease in wheezing is contributed to an enzyme called quercetin found in the fruit.  Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonoid compound that blocks hyalouronidase.  Hyaluronidase is what causes the swelling in the nasal passages.  Maybe the old saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" wasn't that far off.