The Explosion of Food Allergies

by | Apr 11, 2022

It may seem like in the past decade there has been a major increase in food allergies. Most food products have symbols on their packages such as “Gluten-Free,” “Soy Free,” “Dairy-Free,” and so on. It makes you wonder, why are they labeling these now? Should I avoid those ingredients? (Here’s the quick answer: you don’t need to avoid any of these unless you have an allergy or intolerance to them.) Needless to say, allergies have become more prevalent in the last decade. While the exact cause is unknown, there are some theories that attempt to explain this phenomenon.

Food allergies

Food Allergies versus Food Intolerance

If someone has an allergy to a food, their immune system will physically reject the food when it enters the body and sometimes even if it just touches the skin. The immune system will release immunoglobulin E (IgE) as a defense mechanism, creating scary and sometimes life-threatening reactions like a closed airway, hives, vomiting, itching, diarrhea, and others. On the other hand, food intolerances are often due to a lack of enzymes the body has to break down a specific food or food additive. When the food is left undigested, unwanted side effects like gas, diarrhea, headaches, and numbness will manifest without any IgE.

Why the Increase in Food Allergies?

Some have wondered if the allergies are not increasing, but if we are becoming better at diagnosing them. However, this is unlikely to be the case. We cannot be sure about what is causing an increase in allergies, but there are some theories. Let’s walk through the theories together:

Theory 1:

Since more people are afraid of their children developing an allergic reaction, parents are waiting longer to expose their children to typical allergens such as peanuts. Early exposure has been proven important in helping the body to not register these foods as invaders.

Theory 2:

A possible factor for increased allergies could be an increase in dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. We have trillions of bacteria living within the gut and on our bodies. When there is an imbalance between the good and the bad bacteria, more IgE is produced, leading to increased allergic reactions. An unbalanced gut is partially due to a decrease in fruit and vegetables which have antioxidants. These antioxidants produce anti-inflammatory effects, which in the absence of, can breed inflammation and allergies.

Theory 3:

From 1969-1988 there was a major increase of cleaning products, almost quadrupling over that time. This could be the foundation of the Hygiene Hypothesis.: The cleaner the human population got, the more susceptible they became to allergies. Immune systems were “spared” by antibacterial products, making humans more vulnerable to allergic reactions. Although this theory is debated, seeing as there is less incidence of infections and other diseases, there are some scientists who are convinced this is the main reason for an increase in allergies.

Theory 4:

Another theory is that allergies are likely related to the environment and Western lifestyle. We know that there are lower rates of allergies in developing countries, which leads us to believe it could have something to do with our lifestyle. Some factors that could contribute to allergies include pollution, dietary changes, less exposure to microbes, and living in urban areas.

Conclusion

There are so many reasons why allergies are on the rise. When we take into account the ever-changing environment, combined with unavoidable genetics, and societal developments, it is nearly impossible to pinpoint one singular cause of this increase. What we do know is allergies can be very dangerous if ignored. If you or someone you know is struggling with allergies, reach out to a Registered Dietitian at AZ dietitians. We will help you identify your symptoms and a list of foods that you can eat. It always helps to focus on what you can have versus what you can’t have. 

Adapted from Sciencedirect

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