Nutrition: What foods make nasal polyps worse?

October 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Affecting up to 40% of people at some point in their lives, nasal polyps are noncancerous growths in the nasal passages. For those seeking to manage this condition, understanding what foods make nasal polyps worse is a crucial part of controlling the inflammation that drives polyp development.

Quick Summary

A guide detailing dietary triggers that can exacerbate nasal polyp symptoms, including refined sugars, processed foods, and high-histamine items. It explores the link between inflammation, food sensitivities, and sinus health, providing clear guidance on foods to avoid and beneficial alternatives.

Key Points

Refined Sugar: Processed carbohydrates and refined sugars are pro-inflammatory and can exacerbate sinus swelling and congestion.
Inflammatory Fats: Fried foods, processed meats, and trans fats can trigger the release of inflammatory cytokines, worsening nasal polyp symptoms.
High-Histamine Foods: Aged cheeses, alcohol, and fermented foods can increase histamine levels in the body, leading to more inflammation in sensitive individuals.
Omega-3s and Antioxidants: Counteract inflammation by consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like fatty fish) and antioxidants (found in berries and leafy greens).
Salicylate Avoidance: People with aspirin sensitivity should avoid high-salicylate foods like dried herbs, specific fruits, and tomatoes to prevent triggering respiratory reactions.
Allergen Monitoring: For those with food sensitivities, identifying and eliminating common allergens like dairy and gluten can help manage underlying inflammatory responses.

The Inflammatory Link: Diet and Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are soft, teardrop-shaped growths resulting from chronic inflammation in the lining of the sinuses and nasal passages. While medical treatments like steroid sprays and surgery are common, diet plays a supporting role in managing symptoms by controlling systemic inflammation. Certain foods are known to act as pro-inflammatory agents, worsening conditions like chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic reactions that contribute to polyp formation. Conversely, a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help calm the body's immune response and reduce the swelling that can aggravate polyps.

Refined Sugar and Processed Carbohydrates

Refined sugar is a major dietary driver of inflammation. Foods high in sugar, such as cookies, cakes, pastries, candy, and sugary yogurts, can trigger an immune response that promotes chronic, low-grade inflammation throughout the body. This can weaken the immune system and worsen sinus swelling and congestion. Processed carbohydrates, found in packaged snacks and white bread, are rapidly converted into sugar in the body, contributing to the same inflammatory effects.

Inflammatory Fats and Processed Meats

Fried and processed foods are another significant source of inflammation. Foods like french fries, fried chicken, bacon, and cured meats (salami, hot dogs) often contain unhealthy fats, including trans fats, and chemical preservatives like nitrates. Frying in unhealthy oils generates harmful compounds, and the consumption of these foods can prompt the release of cytokines, which are proteins linked to inflammation. Processed meats are also typically high in sodium and saturated fat, which further fuels an inflammatory response.

High-Histamine and Aged Foods

Histamine is a chemical involved in the body's allergic response, causing inflammation and congestion. Certain aged and fermented foods are naturally high in histamine and can trigger or worsen symptoms in sensitive individuals.

Aged Cheeses: Varieties like blue cheese, Parmesan, brie, and aged cheddar contain higher levels of histamine due to the aging process. Fresher cheeses like mozzarella, goat cheese, and provolone are generally lower in histamine.
Alcohol: Beer and wine, especially red wine, are known to be high in histamine and can cause increased nasal obstruction.
Other high-histamine items: Tomatoes and chocolate have also been listed as potential aggravators for some people, likely due to their histamine content.

Salicylate Sensitivity

For a specific group of individuals with Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD), salicylates can trigger severe symptoms. Salicylates are natural compounds found in a wide variety of plant foods. While a low-salicylate diet is not a standard recommendation for all polyp sufferers, it can provide significant relief for those with a confirmed sensitivity. High-salicylate foods include:

Certain fruits: Oranges, sharp green apples, cherries, strawberries, and dried fruits.
Tomatoes
Herbs and spices: Dried herbs and black pepper.
Beverages: Tea (except fruit and chamomile), coffee, fruit juices, cider, and wine.

Dairy and Other Potential Allergens

For some individuals, especially those with pre-existing allergies or sensitivities, certain foods can increase mucus production and exacerbate symptoms. Dairy products are a common culprit for increased mucus and congestion. Additionally, food allergens like gluten, soy, eggs, and yeast are linked to inflammation and allergic reactions that can promote polyp growth in sensitive individuals. A food elimination trial under medical supervision can help identify personal triggers.

Dietary Choices: Inflammatory vs. Anti-Inflammatory


Inflammatory Foods to Limit	Anti-Inflammatory Alternatives to Prioritize
Refined Sugars: Cookies, cakes, candy, soda	Fresh Fruit: Berries (rich in quercetin), citrus fruits (Vitamin C)
Inflammatory Fats: Fried foods, processed oils	Omega-3s: Fatty fish (salmon, sardines), flaxseed, walnuts
Processed Meats: Bacon, salami, hot dogs	Lean Protein: Wild-caught fish, turkey, chicken
Aged Cheeses: Parmesan, blue cheese, cheddar	Fresh Cheeses: Mozzarella, goat cheese, provolone
High-Histamine Foods: Tomatoes, alcohol	Antioxidant-Rich Vegetables: Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots

Making Proactive Dietary Changes

Managing nasal polyps with diet is not about finding a magic cure but about creating a body-wide environment of reduced inflammation. Integrating healthy habits alongside medical treatment can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life. Start by focusing on a whole-food diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, while systematically reducing the inflammatory culprits mentioned above. Staying well-hydrated is also essential to keeping mucus thin and passages clear.

If you suspect a specific food allergy or sensitivity, consider working with an allergist or registered dietitian to identify triggers. Remember that dietary changes are a supportive measure, and professional medical advice is essential for diagnosis and primary treatment. For more information on managing sinus conditions, consult trusted medical resources like the Johns Hopkins Medicine health library.

Conclusion

For those living with nasal polyps, dietary choices are an important factor in managing symptoms and preventing inflammation. By consciously avoiding or limiting refined sugars, inflammatory fats, processed meats, aged cheeses, and potential allergens like dairy and gluten, individuals can reduce the systemic inflammation that contributes to polyp growth. Prioritizing an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and fiber provides a nutritional strategy that can complement medical treatment and support long-term sinus health.

Frequently Asked Questions

For some people, dairy products can increase mucus production and congestion, aggravating nasal polyp symptoms. However, this is not a universal reaction, so paying attention to your body's response is key.

While diet alone cannot shrink or cure nasal polyps, it can play a vital role in reducing the underlying inflammation. By limiting inflammatory foods, you may help manage symptoms and prevent polyps from becoming more problematic, especially in conjunction with medical treatment.

Salicylate sensitivity often occurs in individuals with Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD), which also involves asthma and nasal polyps. If you have AERD, avoiding high-salicylate foods can provide symptomatic relief. A doctor's diagnosis and supervision are recommended.

If you are sensitive to histamine, opt for fresh, non-aged cheeses. Good options include mozzarella, goat cheese, and provolone, as they are typically lower in histamine compared to aged varieties like blue cheese or Parmesan.

Spicy foods, like those containing capsaicin (found in chili peppers), can sometimes help clear nasal congestion by thinning mucus. However, some individuals find them irritating. It is best to consume spicy foods in moderation and observe your body's reaction.

An elimination diet can be a useful tool for identifying personal food triggers, especially in cases of suspected delayed food hypersensitivity. However, it should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to ensure nutritional adequacy and safety.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish and flaxseeds, have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. By reducing inflammatory compounds like leukotrienes and prostaglandins, they can help reduce nasal swelling and support overall sinus health.