Stuffy nose culprit caught

Vibrant Life, Nov-Dec, 2004

Your chronic stuffy nose could be the result of something other than a high pollen count. Italian researchers, in the first well-controlled study of its kind, discovered that the common food additive monosodium benzoate triggered rhinitis (runny, stuffy nose, sneezing, and nasal itching) in a group of 20 adults who did not have allergies.

Their symptoms either improved or disappeared completely while following an additive free diet. When the additive was reintroduced, back came the sniffles.

Monosodium benzoate is a preservative commonly found in fruit juice, fruit drinks, pie fillings, pickles, olives, and salad dressings. Check the ingredients label.

(Environmental Nutrition)