Allergies :: Food additives responsible for stuffy nose, non allergic rhinitis
Intolerance to food additives might also be responsible for stuffy nose. Italian researchers found that of 226 people with persistent nasal congestion not caused by allergies, 20 had reactions to monosodium benzoate, a preservative widely used in processed foods. When these men and women followed an additive-free diet, their nasal woes waned, according to findings published in the journal Allergy.