Food allergies and intolerance can easily be confused. It is important to understand the differences between them to recognize if you are allergic or intolerant to particular products. This can help you understand how much of this product your body can handle, if any at all.
How to Tell the Difference Between a Food Allergy and Intolerance
Allergic reactions to food can occur from digesting only a small amount of food. Therefore, people with food allergies must avoid certain products entirely to prevent allergic reactions. Food intolerance is more often related to the quantity of the particular food digested. People with food intolerances may be able to eat a small amount of the product that they are intolerant to, however excess amounts may cause reactions.
Prevalence
Food allergies affect about 2 to 4% of adults and 6 to 8% of children. Food intolerance is much more common. The most common food intolerance is lactose intolerance which affects about 10% of Americans. However, everyone has experienced an unpleasant reaction from food at some point which is also classified as food intolerance.
Common Foods Related to Allergies and Intolerance
A person can be allergic or intolerant to an unlimited amount of foods. The most common foods include:
- Dairy Products
- Egg
- Wheat
- Soy
- Peanut
- Chocolate
- Artificial food coloring
- Shellfish
- Fish
- Nuts
Symptoms of Food Allergies/Intolerance
Symptoms of food allergies or intolerance can be very diverse and individual to each person, ranging from mild to severe reactions and immediate to delayed experiences of these reactions. These symptoms also can cover a widespread list of ailments. These ailments are so particular to each individual that they can be seen in almost all of the body systems in a variety of ways. Some examples of common symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Scratchy throat
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Wheezing
- Itching & watery eyes
- Shortness of breath
- Light-headedness or fainting
- Hives
- Abdominal pain
- Migraines
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
However this list is not comprehensive and some symptoms may include problems you possibly wouldn’t associate with a food allergy or intolerance. These problems could include things such as lack of concentration, fatigue, or even depression.
Causes of Food Allergies/Intolerance
Typically, food allergies are inherited. Food allergies are a result of the immune system mistaking the product for a harmful substance. This causes the body to perform actions to fight the product and therefore produce symptoms. Food intolerance can have multiple causes. Food intolerance can happen because the body does not have the right enzymes or enough of them to properly break down the substance in your body. It can also mean another underlying physical, emotional, or mental problem needs to be addressed. Excessive exposure to a particular type of food can also lead to food allergies or sensitivities. Therefore, it is important to keep a balanced diet and eat a variety of foods.
For more information on food allergies, visit the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
Sources: American Heart Association; Harvard School of Public Health; 10 Weeks to Wellness™, Paul Ratte, ND; WebMD
