Although nasal polyps are noncancerous, these soft growths in the lining of your sinuses or nasal passages can worsen if your body’s inflammation levels rise. That can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like congestion, facial pressure, and reduced sense of smell. Because of that, treatment and lifestyle changes often focus on bringing that inflammation down — and that’s where your diet comes in.
“What’s occurring throughout the body and in the immune system can have an effect on nasal polyps,” says Cheryl Rozario, DO, MPH, a physician specializing in allergies and immunology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. “Factors like diet and everyday activity can play a major role, and can help prevent issues.”
When dealing with nasal polyps, mindful nourishment is important, but it’s also crucial to check in with your doctor if you’re experiencing worsening symptoms no matter what you eat, says Dr. Rozario.
“Nasal polyps may be developing from an issue like uncontrolled allergies, and that can also lead to sinusitis,” she says. “That might have a ripple effect like causing blocked nasal passages, frequent sinus infections, and difficulty sleeping.” Dietary changes might reduce inflammation, but to deal with problems like these, prompt treatment is beneficial.
“A health professional like an allergist or otolaryngologist can help you evaluate symptoms and determine what triggers are present,” Rozario says. “That can help you come up with an individualized plan to manage nasal polyps symptoms long term.” With that in mind, here are five foods that may be problematic since they’re tied to higher inflammation, and some less inflammatory alternatives.
1. Cookies
Cookies and any kind of sweet treat fits into this category. That means foods like pies, cakes, brownies, candy, and pastries, too.
If you’re looking for a better-for-you sweet treat, try berries, says Jamie Baham, a registered dietitian-nutritionist based in Oklahoma City and the owner of Ladybug Nutrition, a private practice that provides medical nutrition therapy to people with chronic health conditions.
2. Aged Cheeses
Fortunately, that doesn’t mean avoiding cheese altogether, says Baham. Cheeses that aren’t aged don’t have this issue, so as long as you’re not sensitive to dairy, you can opt for cheeses like goat cheese, provolone, and mozzarella.
3. Yogurt With Added Sugars
Probiotic foods like yogurt have been shown to reduce inflammatory markers, and they can also support mucosal immunity, says Baham. That’s the part of the immune system located in the mucosal surfaces (moist linings of organs and body cavities), including the nasal cavity lining.
But some yogurts on grocery store shelves contain a significant amount of added sugars, which can knock out those benefits. Similar to baked goods like pastries and other sugary treats, high-sugar yogurts may raise inflammation levels while presenting itself as a healthy food.
4. French Fries
- Contain high amounts of calories and trans fats
- Negatively affect gut health
- Increase the risk of conditions like obesity and heart disease
5. Bacon
If you want to add protein to your diet while steering away from cured and processed meat, Baham suggests adding fatty fish like salmon and sardines instead.
The Takeaway
- Nasal polyps can worsen with increased inflammation in the body and cause problems like congestion, facial pressure, and reduced sense of smell.
- While diet can’t cure nasal polyps, if you bring inflammation down by avoiding certain foods, that will directly improve the condition and prevent polyps from becoming more problematic.
- Foods known to cause inflammation include refined sugars, fried foods, and cured meat, so limit or avoid them entirely to keep inflammation in check.