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Certain foods, additives, or preservatives have been found to exacerbate asthma in a small number of cases. And for a very few asthmatics, food can lead to serious asthma attacks.
Asthmatics are usually allergic to only one food, or at most two or three foods. It's a common misconception that people are sensitive or allergic to a wide variety of foods.
If you can identify the specific food or additive, that triggers your asthma symptoms, the best treatment is simply to avoid it.
Asthmatics generally have the same nutritional needs and food considerations as anyone else, but if you have asthma it's important to make a healthy diet part of your day-to-day life. Asthma can place additional stress on your body. This is especially true for asthmatics who require regular treatment with oral corticosteroids, which can deplete the body of important nutrients.
Asthmatic reactions to food can vary widely. Both whole and processed foods can cause asthmatic reactions. Foods themselves, the chemicals that have been added to them, and individual susceptibility all play a role in determining whether or not you will experience a reaction to a certain food. Even the time of year may play a part. For example, when you're suffering a seasonal allergy such as hay fever, you may be extra sensitive to foods that are not ordinarily a problem for you.
Food seems to cause more problems in very young children. In many cases, this is a result of the child's inability to completely digest proteins. Luckily, many children who are sensitive or allergic to food products will be able to tolerate these foods as they grow older.
It is widely documented that several common foods tend to be linked with asthma symptoms. Milk, yogurt and ice-cream or other dairy products are particularly likely to cause coughing or wheezing in asthmatics. Processed foods, eggs, shrimp, fish, citrus fruits, soy, and wheat are other common food associated with asthma. Nuts and peanuts in particular have been known to cause serious, even fatal attacks in people with asthma. These are usually due to a rare condition known as anaphylaxis which is a very severe allergic reaction and is not true asthma.
Some asthmatics may be neither sensitive nor allergic to any particular food -- but are allergic to the preservatives, flavours and colours added to modern foods.
Tartrazine (E102) is a yellow food colouring made from coal tar which is found in both foods and medications. Approximately half the people who are allergic to aspirin are allergic to Tartrazine. It is sometimes found in baked goods, cake mixes, candy, potato chips, pudding, soft drinks, and many other processed foods.
Monosodium glutamate (E261) or MSG is a flavour enhancer frequently found in Chinese food, packaged soups and potato chips. A small group of asthmatics have severe reactions to MSG.
Sulphites and sulphur dioxide (E220, 221, 222, 226, 227) are often found in canned foods or drinks, soft drinks, wine, beer, dried fruit, packaged soups, and pickled vegetables. Because the foods are of such a wide variety, sulphites and sulphur dioxide can be a constant source of asthma if you are triggered by these substances.
Benzoic acid (E210) is a preservative related to aspirin that can cause problems in susceptible asthmatics.
Aspirin and salicylates may occur naturally in certain foods such as chocolate, mushrooms and yeast extracts. They may be associated with other conditions such as mouth ulcers, tiredness and bowel disorders.
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