Food Intolerance

 Do you ever wonder why some people eat some foods or beverages and booom! They react to it.

No right??

Well today we'll be learning something new to clear our doubt on why people react to those foods. We'll be discussing a fascinating topic " _*Food Intolerance*_ " stay tuned and enjoy every bit of the article.

*What is Food Intolerance?*

Food Intolerance is a detrimental reaction often delayed, to good, beverages, food additives, or compound found in foods that produces symptoms in one or more body organs and systems. It generally refers to reactions other than food allergy.

In the same vein, Food hypersensitivity is used to refer broadly to both food intolerances and food allergies.

Intolerance can result from the absence of specific chemicals or enzymes needed to digest a food substance. It may be a result of an abnormality in the body's ability to absorb nutrients. Food Intolerance reactions can include pharmacologic, metabolic and gastrointestinal responses to foods or food compounds. It is important to note that food intolerance is different from food allergy. Food allergy triggers the immune system, while food intolerance does not. Foods most commonly associated with food intolerances include dairy products, grains that contain gluten, and foods that cause intestinal gas build up, such as beans and cabbage.

*Causes of Food Intolerance*

*1. Absence of an enzyme*
Enzymes are needed to digest foods fully. If some of these enzymes are missing, or insufficient, proper digestion may be undetermined. People who are lactose intolerant do not have enough lactose, an enzymes that breaks down milk sugar (lactose) into smaller molecules that the body can break down further and absorb through the intestine. If lactose remains in the digestive tract it can cause spasm, bloating, diarrhea.

*2. Chemical causes*
Certain chemical in foods and drinks can cause intolerance, including amines in cheese, caffeine in coffee, tea and chocolates. Some people are more susceptible to these chemicals than others.

*3. Food poisoning (toxins)*
Some foods have naturally occurring chemicals that can have a toxic effect on humans causing nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Undercooked beans have aflatoxins that can cause extremely unpleasant digestive problems. Fully cooked beans do not have toxins. Hence, people wonder why they react to beans.

*Symptoms*
Symptoms of food intolerance tend to take longer to appear than symptoms of allergies. It can be difficult to determine whether the patient has a food intolerance or an allergy because the signs and symptoms often overlap. Some people are intolerant to several group of foods, making it harder for doctors to determine whether it might be a chronic illness or food intolerance. Identifying which foods are culprits can take a long time.

According to the Australian NSW Food Authority, the following are the most common symptoms of food intolerance;
• Bloating
• Migraines
• Headaches
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Stomachache
• Irritable bowel
• Hives

*Diagnosis*
It is not easy to determine whether somebody has a food intolerance or allergies but patients are advised to keep a diary and write which food are eaten, what the symptoms were like and when they appeared. The data in the diary can help dietician or doctor identify which foods are causing adverse reactions and what steps to take.

Some people find out that if they stay off specific food for a while, they have no reaction when eating it again. This is known as tolerance. Maintaining tolerance is often a question of knowing how long to abstain and how much of it to eat when it being reintroduced. As each individual reacts differently, the only way to determine this is by trial and error.

Thanks for reading!

Article by:
Iyiola Grace Omowumi
Food, Nutrients and Health.
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Reference:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_intolerance
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263965#improvement