Everyone has experienced the uncomfortable effects of eating something they shouldn’t at some point in their lives. It is often easy to assume that you are allergic to a food if it causes symptoms such as indigestion, hives or swollen airways. However, it is also possible that you are in fact intolerant or sensitive to the particular food, or have what is known as celiac disease. Here’s what each of these terms means and how they affect you:
Food allergy: If you’ve ever had trouble breathing, hives, dizziness, or a swollen throat, chances are you’re allergic to something you’ve eaten. This is our immune system’s response that occurs shortly after we eat a particular food item. For some, it can just be uncomfortable, but for others, it can lead to a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis.
While it’s common to confuse a food allergy with intolerance, keep in mind that the symptoms of an allergy develop within minutes to two hours of consuming something you’re allergic to.
Food allergy: Your immune system is not involved and it cannot cause a life-threatening condition. Food intolerance manifests itself in symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, skin rash and itching. However, unlike allergies, you must consume a significant amount of trigger foods for the intolerance to set in, and the symptoms come on gradually, often taking hours to show.
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Food Sensitivity: It may be an IgG-mediated immune response to certain foods. Like food intolerance, this is not a life-threatening condition. Symptoms can range from migraines, gastrointestinal upset, bloating and abdominal pain. They may take a few days to appear after consuming a trigger food. Because of the late onset of symptoms, many people with food sensitivity often go a lifetime without knowing what is causing it.
celiac disease: Sometimes called gluten-sensitive enteropathy, this is another immune system response in your small intestine, but specifically to consuming gluten. If this continues, over time it can damage the small intestine and prevent it from absorbing some of the nutrients from food. Symptoms range from gastrointestinal upset and bloating to fatigue, weight loss and anemia. While there is no cure for this condition, following a gluten-free diet can help heal the gut and prevent the symptoms.
Also read: 5 health benefits of mixed cooking oils
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