You might have been wondering what is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance? Really when viewed closely the symptoms for one is rather similar to that of the other but the difference has always been the severity of the accompanying reaction. If you love buying food online, you would want to know the nutritional content of the food and the ingredients used in manufacturing them.

This article does not cover details about food intolerance, but for more information on the details on that, you should visit review platforms like ReviewsBird.com.

Now, let’s explain some common food and beverages that people may be intolerant to and their symptoms:

Lactose intolerance

Lactose is the sugar found in milk and many other dairy products. In the small intestine, it is broken down by an enzyme called lactase and thus absorbed into the bloodstream.

For people suffering from this condition the lack of the enzyme results in the accumulation of lactose in the gut leading to gas, diarrhea, nausea, bloating, and abdominal pain. So if you or any member of your family has lactose intolerance it is best to avoid dairy products like kefir, cheese, ice cream, and milk.

Caffeine

Caffeine is found in many beverages such as soda, coffee, tea, and some energy drinks among others. It acts as a stimulant that improves concentration and for some people help them stay awake. Reactions that may result from not being tolerant to caffeine are restlessness, jittering, feeling nervous, anxiety, lack of sleep, and increased heartbeat.

Amines

Bacteria are the chief producers of amines during their storage of food and fermentation. They are found in a large variety of foods. Histamine is a hormone that has a crucial role in the nervous, immune, and digestive systems. It also aids protect the body from infection by triggering sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and inflammatory response.

Most people are intolerant to foods and beverages containing histamine and tend to suffer from symptoms such as hives, stomach cramps, diarrhea, headaches, etc.

Other foods that people are known to be intolerant to are gluten, salicylates and sulfites amongst others.

Milk

This allergy to cow milk is experienced by children and babies, although most of them may overcome the condition. This is associated with immunoglobulin E and non-immunoglobulin forms allergy that leads them to avoiding milk products like butter, margarine, yogurt, cream, ice cream, milk powder, etc., or suffer symptoms such as anaphylaxis, swelling, hives, and vomiting.

Nuts

The types of nuts that people may be allergic to are pine nuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, almonds, walnuts, and Brazil nuts. This allergy can lead to anaphylaxis but this can be treated with a shot of adrenaline.

Eggs

Been egg allergic is the second most frequent type of allergy affecting children but like that of cow milk can be outgrown at age 16. The symptoms linked to egg allergy include skin reactions such as rash or hives, occasionally anaphylaxis, respiratory issues, and digestive distress like a stomach ache.

Peanut

Peanut allergy is common and can be fatal. It is advisable as there is currently no cure for the allergy to avoid foods and beverages made with or containing peanuts.

Other foods and beverages that people are allergic to are shellfish, wheat, soy, meat, fish, etc.

Most allergies are and food intolerance are genetic and thus need you to maintain a constant medical check-up.