Do You Really Have a Food Allergy?
These days, almost everyone seems to be allergic to gluten, lactose, wheat, shellfish or whatever else. However, new research shows that 50 percent of all ‘allergies’ are not allergies at all.
It was already a little suspicious that in recent years everyone ‘suddenly’ became unable to tolerate gluten. Where was that allergy before the rumour that gluten is unhealthy started circulating? Research from JAMA Network Open shows that half of all people who think they have an allergy do not have one at all.
One in ten
According to this study, approximately one in ten people has a food allergy, while two in ten people think they do. However, the symptoms of half of those people do not correspond to those of a food allergy at all. In those cases, it is an intolerance or another food-related cause.
The researchers examined more than 40,000 adults. Nineteen percent of the participants reported having a food allergy, half of whom said their allergy had developed during adulthood. Yet half of those people are mistaken: they are not dealing with an allergy, but with an intolerance.
Allergy or intolerance?
A food allergy causes a reaction from the immune system and affects multiple organs in the body. These reactions can vary, but in some cases an allergy can be fatal. Nuts and shellfish in particular can have fatal consequences. A food intolerance is generally milder and often manifests itself through digestive problems. People with an intolerance lack a digestive enzyme needed to break down the ‘hostile’ food. This can cause diarrhoea, stomach pain or bloating.
Want to know for sure whether you are allergic? Then make an appointment with your doctor. If you really do have an allergy, medication is available in many cases that can help you prevent life-threatening situations.
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