Mediterranean Diet Helps With Allergies?

New research suggests that a Mediterranean-style diet could offer protection from asthma and allergic rhinitis. Why do children in some parts of Europe, such as the UK, get asthma while others, in places like Crete, do not? Basically, children in Crete still get allergies (such as a positive skin-prick test for dust mite allergy) - yet they do not get the respiratory symptoms that children in other countries get. What are the good foods? Oranges, apples, tomatoes, grapes, and nuts. The research found that 80% of the children ate fresh fruit, and two-thirds ate vegetables - at least twice a day. Foods with high antioxidant levels seem to be the key. Margarine: Not so good high consumption of margarine more than once a week (331 children) doubled the chances of asthma and allergic rhinitis, compared with those who ate it less frequently, As a person who has suffered from allergies - I believe there is a strong link between allergic disposition and diet. However - nutrition as a form of treatment is well outside the realms of conventional medicine where sprays, inhalers, and pills are the order of the day. ....Continued on http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2007/04/09/mediterranean_diet_helps_with_allergies.php