ALLERGY OR SENSITIVITY?

It is a common misconception that any adverse reaction to specific foods denotes an allergy to that food, but for most people, that is not the case. Food sensitivities are far more common than food allergies, and the difference is important. Allergic reactions originate from an immune system when it identifies a protein in a particular food as an invader and creates antibodies to fight it. Symptoms present in the form of reactions like hives, swelling, dizziness, itching, digestive issues, and anaphylaxis. In extreme cases, food allergies can be fatal. Food sensitivities are reactions from a person’s digestive tract and include symptoms like bloating, constipation, gas, cramping, nausea, and diarrhea; they are not life-threatening.

P.S. The best way to determine whether a reaction to certain foods is an allergy or a sensitivity is to see an allergist for proper testing.

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