Interesting Facts About The Most Common Food Intolerances
Food is the main source of energy for the organism. We need different nutrients every day to stay healthy. But many people suffer from food intolerances, which often make a varied diet very difficult.
Food is the main source of energy for the organism. We need different nutrients every day to stay healthy. But many people suffer from food intolerances, which often make a varied diet very difficult.
You may have already experienced yourself not feeling well after consuming a certain food. Today’s article is about the most common food intolerances and the symptoms they cause.
Difference between food intolerances and allergies
An allergy is caused by an overly sensitive immune system. The organism forms antibodies that can be detected in the blood. This can occur through certain foods, but also through allergens in the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract or through skin contact.
Food intolerances are also hypersensitivity reactions, but they are not caused by the immune system. The causes can be found in an enzyme deficiency, a metabolic disease, food additives or pharmacological substances.
The organism is not able to properly digest certain components of food and is therefore overly sensitive.
One exception is gluten intolerance, which also has an altered immune system.
A person allergic to a certain substance cannot ingest the slightest amount of it. In the case of food intolerance, however, those affected can consume small amounts of the trigger.
Food intolerance: symptoms
While certain foods can trigger both allergies and food intolerances, and the symptoms are very similar, as mentioned earlier, the causes are different.
The most common symptoms of allergies are:
- Hives
- skin rash
- Swollen lips or eyelids
- Red eyes
- to cough
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Stuffy nose
- Difficulty breathing
- high blood pressure
Food intolerances lead to very similar complaints, but most of them are less severe. Still, they are very uncomfortable. Typical symptoms are:
- stomach pain
- Flatulence
- diarrhea
In the case of allergies, the reactions usually occur 30 to 60 minutes after consuming the allergen and can be serious. In the case of food intolerance, the symptoms can appear later and be mild.
Then we name the most common triggers for food intolerance.
Lactose intolerance
Gluten intolerance (celiac disease)
Gluten is a glycoprotein that is found in various types of grain, such as wheat, oats, and barley. If there is an intolerance, the small intestine is unable to digest gluten, which leads to an inflammatory reaction in the intestine. This intolerance is chronic.
It is a digestive disorder with an immunological cause. The most common symptoms are:
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- Loss of muscle mass
These symptoms are not always present; atypical symptoms can also occur.
Sucrose intolerance
This is about a general intolerance to table sugar. This occurs when the enzyme sucrase is not present. As a result, sucrose cannot be digested properly.
In this case, diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, etc.
Fructose intolerance
Fructose is also a common cause of intolerance. Fructose is also known as levulose and is found in fruits, certain vegetables, and honey.
If the intestines cannot digest this type of sugar, typical discomfort occurs after consumption.
In any case, you must undergo a medical examination if there is any suspicion of a food intolerance. This can cause numerous health problems, as nutrients that the organism needs are not properly absorbed.
Specific examinations are often necessary to find out the causes of the symptoms and to initiate appropriate treatment.
