Asthma is a common health concern that affects children as well as adults. While it is not medically known what causes the disease, asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. When the airways are in contact with one or more triggers, they will become inflamed, grow narrow, and fill with mucus. The most commonly used treatments for an asthma attack is the asthma inhaler. 

Oftentimes, certain foods will trigger an asthma attack. This is especially true for people who have food and environmental allergies. The following foods should be avoided if you or a loved one is asthmatic, or at risk of the disease:

1. Food additives

Food additives and preservatives can trigger asthma attacks. These include sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium bisulfite, sodium sulfite, and potassium metabisulfite. These additives are generally used in the processing and preparation of food. It can be found in dried fruit and vegetables, packaged potatoes, bottled lemon or lime juice, pickled foods, and fresh or frozen shrimp.

2. Eggs

Many people have allergic reactions to eggs. If you have asthma, you may experience the symptoms of asthma that include coughing and wheezing, plus other common allergy symptoms like rash, hives, nausea, or diarrhea.

3. Peanuts and tree nuts

Peanuts are a common food that causes allergic reactions. Coupled with the symptoms of asthma, many people have to use allergy shots (immunology) for this food allergy. If allergic symptoms are not caught in time, anaphylaxis may occur, which is the swelling of the throat that cuts off the airways.

4. Wine and beer

These drinks should be avoided by those who have persistent allergies to foods as they can also trigger asthma attacks because wine contains the naturally produced histamine which many people have adverse reactions to. Some of the additives in these products can often have adverse effects on people with various health disorders including asthma.

5. Cow’s milk

This is known to be an asthma trigger because milk causes more mucus in the body. This can produce too much mucus in the lungs for asthma patients causing a worsening of asthma symptoms.

6. Wheat

Wheat allergies are common among bakers who may get what is commonly called baker’s asthma. The constant inhaling of dust from the wheat flour could induce asthma like symptoms. This could also come from skin contact with the flour. Up to 25% of people who work in a bakery are affected by long term exposure to wheat products.