The Importance of Drinking Water for Seasonal Allergies

It’s no secret that hydration is important; it practically helps our body function, from every organ and cell to preventing infections and regulating body temperature. Good for the mind, water promotes productivity, fights fatigue, and reduces stress. While the list of benefits is endless, you can now add easing allergies to the list.

1. Lowers Histamine Production

Histamine is our body’s natural reaction against allergies, which is why you might be feeling itchy or sneezy. When seasonal allergies like hay fever hit, you have a histamine overreaction. When you’re dehydrated, your body interprets the allergies as a threat and responds by increasing the histamine further, leading to stronger symptoms. There is also a 2013 study which found that dehydration produced less allergy-blocking antibodies, which causes the release of more histamine. But keeping yourself hydrated and drinking water can help to regulate histamine levels and help decrease symptoms.

2. Thins Mucous

One of the seasonal allergies' most annoying symptoms is thick mucous, which blocks our nasal passages, making breathing harder. When you’re dehydrated, the mucous inside your sinuses becomes thicker and harder for the cilia, tiny hair-like cells, to move out. But when you’re drinking enough water, the mucous becomes thinner and easier to clear out. This then helps reduce sinus pressure and congestion.

3. Helps Mucous Membranes

Your mucous membranes, like your nose and throat, help  trap allergens and prevent them from getting into your airways. When you’re dehydrated leading to higher histamine count, it can cause these membranes to become inflamed and itchy. This, in turn, can slow down the  process of ejecting the allergen from your body. But drinking water prevents this and helps your mucous membranes fight off the allergies better.

4. Alleviates Dry Eyes and Throat

While some may suffer from overactive histamine, which causes itchy, watery eyes, others may experience dry eyes and an itchy throat. If you suffer from that annoying dry cough that won’t go away, drinking plenty can help. Keeping you hydrated can provide your eyes and throat with the lubrication that  they need to combat this symptom.

5. Relieves Headaches

Pressure on sinuses with seasonal allergies can cause headaches and migraines. When you’re dehydrated, it could also cause headaches. Fluid shifting out of the brain stimulates pain receptors, or tissues in your brain contract, putting pressure on the nerves. This can make your allergy headache worse. But staying hydrated helps to prevent or alleviate any pain from allergies and headaches.

6. Strengthens Immune System

Drinking water and staying hydrated contributes to our body’s immune system, our frontline to fighting allergies, illnesses, and bacteria. Keeping your immune system strong can help your body fight off seasonal allergies better, as well as other sicknesses and viruses.

7. Flushes Toxins

Ever heard that you should stay hydrated when you’re sick as this helps to flush it out of your system? Well, the same can be said with allergens. Drinking water has an excellent cleaning effect on our bodies, flushing toxins, allergens, and irritants. By supporting the body’s natural detoxification process, staying hydrated helps clean your body through urination, sweating, and mucous thinning. Leaving you feeling refreshed and relieved.

When it comes to seasonal allergies, you might wonder if drinking hot water for allergies is better, if you should stick to room temperature and cold water or even spice it up with sparkling. While it’s down to preference, here are some key tips based on allergy symptoms:

• Room temperature water - can be soothing for throat irritation and is not too hot or cold to irritate your passages.
• Cold water – can feel more refreshing if you’re congested or stuffy. However, if you’re suffering from a sore throat or sinus infection, it won’t feel as soothing.
• Warm or hot water – drinking hot water has a lot of benefits, it’s better for sinus relief and inflammation, as it will help loosen mucus, clear allergens, and calm inflamed passages.
• Sparkling water – for variety, but the carbonation may irritate the throat or contribute to bloating.

Read more: What is the Best Temperature for Drinking Water?

Tap Water or Mineral Water?

While there is no real difference between drinking tap water or bottled water for allergies, tap water does contain more natural minerals including calcium, magnesium and potassium. And in the UK, tap water is safe to drink across the country. While there is no real benefit in choosing one over the other, it’s more about personal taste. Both are good choices as long as you’re staying hydrated.

• Start your day with water – first thing in the morning, drink a glass of water to rehydrate after a night’s sleep.
• Drink water before meals – this helps with digestion and eases allergy-related dryness in the throat.
• Drink water regularly throughout the day – don’t wait until you’re thirsty, sip water consistently, set timers or use water logging apps to help.
• Carry a water bottle - keeping a reusable water bottle around not only helps the planet but reminds you to drink during the day.
• Keep at it during work – having water at your desk or taking hydration breaks. For more ideas, take a look at our tips on staying hydrated at work.
• Opt for hydrating snacks – such as fruits or veggies, to help increase your water intake and provide nutrients.

To help you keep on top of your water intake and help you get the best quality water, why not choose BRITA? For the workplace, invest in mains-fed water dispensers, which offer an endless supply of filtered hot, cold, or sparkling water for businesses. Or for the home, why not choose our consumer products, such as a water filter jug or bottle. Providing you with clean and safe water to alleviate your allergy symptoms. To learn more about water, why not take a look at our Dispenser News & Stories.