Identifying the Foods our Bod Cannot Tolerate
Food intolerances are no health conditions that can threaten our lives. However, they can make life uncomfortable for you. Also, they can be very common, and the cases of people with such cases rise daily. In fact, according to research, no less ha 20% of the world’s population is intolerant to a particular food.
Over the years, experts have found food intolerance difficult to diagnose. This is because they come with numerous symptoms, thus making them difficult to be diagnosed.
His article elaborates on the different types of food allergies that exist as well as their possible symptoms. It also emphasizes the kind of foods you must avoid in order to prevent experiencing the discomfort that comes with our body’s intolerance to that food.
What Does Food Intolerance Mean?
Both food intolerance and food allergies can be classified under an umbrella category known as food insensitivity. Although both food intolerance and food allergies are two different things and are sometimes taken to be the same by people, this is because they share almost similar symptoms but are still not the same.
In fact, according to research, it can be difficult to tell the difference between both. This is why it is best to speak with your doctor whenever you notice any symptom so that you can understand and pinpoint which one you are suffering from – food allergies or food intolerance.
Food intolerance symptoms begin after some hours of eating the suspected food. You might not notice any symptoms until, say, after 48 hours of eating the food. This automatically makes the culprit food difficult to identify. If you consume foods you are intolerant to, you might or definitely will find it difficult to identify which exact food is the cause of the intolerance, as symptoms do not appear until after days or more.
The symptoms of food intolerance vary, depending on different conditions. However, the most common symptoms affect the digestive tract. Sometimes, Symptoms can also appear on the skin and can affect the respiratory system.
Some of the most common symptoms of food intolerance include;
The best way of diagnosing food intolerance is by eliminating certain foods from our diets, little by little until you are able to narrow down or identify the culprit. Other easing methods can be used as well. Nevertheless, the most common and widely used method is the food elimination method.
Elimination of diets is geared toward the removal of foods that are suspected to be the cause of the intolerances for a particular time until symptoms begin to reduce. After the elimination procedure, the foods are then reintroduced into the diet under close monitoring for funny symptoms. This way, the removal and reintroduction of foods under close monitoring can make it easier to identify the cause of the intolerance.
In other words, an elimination diet helps in the identification of foods that cause intolerance symptoms.
The following are 5 common foods that can cause intolerance.
Dairy
Dairy is packed with a substance known as lactose. Lactose is a kind of sugar ha predominant in dairy products and milk. In the body, there is usually a breakdown of lactose by lactase. This is a necessary condition for the digestion and absorption of dairy products or milk.
Lactose intolerance is a kind of food tolerance that occurs when there is a shortage of lactase enzymes, which are supposed to act on the lactose, break it down and make it digestible and absorbable. However, when there is low or no presence of the lactase enzyme, lactose becomes difficult to digest, leading to reactions in the digestive system, as well as on the skin and other parts of the body.
Some of the most common signs of lactose intolerance include;
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Gas
- Diarrhea
Of all the food intolerances in the world, lactose intolerance is the most common. In fact, recent research found that over 60% of the world’s population might be experiencing difficulty digesting dairy and dairy products.
Some of the best ways of diagnosing lactose intolerance are through the process of lactose intolerance test, stool PH es, or lactose breath.
If you have noticed any funny symptoms after consuming milk or milk products, be sure to confirm you always have that symptom whenever you consume dairy or dairy products. After confirming your symptoms and the cause of them, stay away from dairy and dairy products.
Gluten
Gluten is some sort of protein that is common in foods like wheat and barley. Some health conditions have been identified to be the triggers of gluten intolerance. These health conditions include; celiac disease, wheat allergy, and gluten sensitivity.
Celiac is an autoimmune disease. It is characterized as an anti-gluten food. People who suffer from celiac diseases then consume foods ha are rich in gluten begin to experience painful symptoms as their immune systems begin to combat their small intestines, causing severe problems to their digestive system.
Sometimes, people mistake wheat allergies for celiac diseases because then they both have similar symptoms.
On the one hand, the wheat allergy produces an antibody to proteins that are present in only wheat, while on the other hand, a celiac disease being an autoimmune disease, is triggered by a negative immune reaction to just gluten; invariably, every food rich in gluten.
Some symptoms of gluten allergy include;
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Skin rash
- Anemia
- Anxiety and depression
Gluten intolerance is treated by avoiding gluten-rich foods. Thus, people who have been diagnosed with his condition should follow a strict gluten-free diet.
Some of the most common gluten-free foods include;
- Pasta
- Baked foods
- Cereals
- Bread
- Beer
- Crackers
- Soy sauces, other sauces, and dressings.
Caffeine
Caffeine is already in coffee and other beverages and drinks like soda, energy drinks, and eat.
Being a stimulant, caffeine ensures the reduction of fatigue while improving concentration and alertness. It does this by barring receptors for adenosine, which is known to be the sleep-wake cycle regulator.
According to research, adults can consume up o 400 mg of caffeine per day without any side effects. Anything more crucial than that can drive to serious side effects.
Despite his regulated and recommended dosage, some people still experience severe side effects when they consume beverages that contain caffeine, no matter how tiny the amount they consume is.
This caffeine intolerance has been successful linked to genetics, which comes hand with the reduced ability to excrete and even metabolize caffeine.
Sulfites
sulfites are substances that are commonly used to preserve foods, drinks, and drugs.
Some natural foods and fruits have also been discovered to contain natural sulfites. Some of these foods include; cheese and grapes.
When sulfite is added to foods or fruits, it prevents the quick browning and spoilage of the fruits and foods.
However, some people have shown severe symptoms after consuming foods that are rich in sulfite, as well as foods ha were preserved with sulfite.
According to research, personalities who suffer from this intolerance are mostly people who are suffering from asthma.
Some symptoms of sulfite intolerance include;
- Swelling of the skin
- Hives
- Stuffy nose
- Diarrhea
- Flushing
- Coughing
- Wheezing
Sulfites, especially for people suffering from asthma, can cause serious reactions that can threaten their lives.
Some foods that contain sulfite include;
- Wine
- Dried fruits
- Apple cedar vinegar
- Baked goods
- Condiments
- Pickled foods
- Tea
- Beer
- Potato chips
Fructose
Fructose can be found in both vegetables and in fruits. Some sweeteners like corn syrup, agave, and hone also have high fructose contents. Some health conditions have been identified to be the consequences of the consumption of excess fructose contents. These health conditions include; heart diseases, liver diseases, and obesity.
Some people have also shown reactions to fructose and fructose-rich foods.
Some of the symptoms of fructose intolerance include;
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Gas
- Reflux
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Foods ha have high fructose contents include;
- Agave nectar
- Certain fruits
- Honey
- Soda
In conclusion, food intolerances are completely different from food allergies. Although, both of them might share similar symptoms. However, there are still different from each other. One of the differences is that food intolerances are usually less serious compared o food allergies, as food allergies can reduce the quality of our lives. Identify which food you are intolerant to and avoid them.
