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Common food intolerances

The 8 most common food intolerances

This article reviews the 8 most common types of food sensitivities and intolerances, their related symptoms, and foods to avoid.

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The 8 most common food intolerances
Last updated on March 6, 2024, and last reviewed by an expert on May 23, 2023.

Unlike some allergies, food intolerances aren’t life-threatening. However, they can be very problematic for those affected.

The 8 most common food intolerances

Food intolerances and sensitivities are extremely common and are on the rise.

It’s estimated that up to 20% of the world’s population may have a food intolerance.

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Food intolerances and sensitivities can be hard to diagnose due to their wide range of symptoms.

This article reviews the most common food sensitivities and intolerances, their related symptoms, and foods to avoid.

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What is a food intolerance?

“Food hypersensitivity” refers to food allergies and food intolerances.

A food intolerance is not the same as a food allergy, although some of the symptoms may be similar.

It can be difficult to tell food allergies and intolerances apart, making it important to speak with your doctor if you suspect you have an intolerance.

When you have a food intolerance, symptoms usually begin within a few hours of eating the food you are intolerant to.

Yet, symptoms can be delayed by up to 48 hours and last for hours or even days, making the offending food especially difficult to pinpoint.

Moreover, if you frequently consume foods you are intolerant to, it may be difficult to correlate symptoms to a specific food.

While symptoms of food intolerances vary, they most often involve the digestive system, skin, and respiratory system.

Common symptoms include:

Food intolerances are commonly diagnosed by elimination diets specifically designed to narrow down offending foods or through other testing methods.

Elimination diets remove foods most commonly associated with intolerances until symptoms subside. Foods are then reintroduced one at a time while monitoring for symptoms.

This diet helps people identify which food or foods are causing symptoms.

Here are 8 of the most common food intolerances.

1. Dairy

Lactose is a sugar found in milk and dairy products.

It is broken down in the body by an enzyme called lactase, which is necessary for lactose to be properly digested and absorbed.

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Lactose intolerance is caused by a shortage of lactase enzymes, which causes an inability to digest lactose and results in digestive symptoms.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include:

Lactose intolerance is extremely common.

It is estimated that 65% of the world’s population has trouble digesting lactose.

Intolerance can be diagnosed in several ways, including a lactose-tolerance test, lactose breath test, or stool PH test.

If you have lactose intolerance, avoid dairy products containing lactose, such as milk and ice cream.

Aged cheeses and fermented products like kefir may be easier for those with lactose intolerance to tolerate, as they contain less lactose than other dairy products.

Summary: Lactose intolerance is common and involves digestive symptoms, including diarrhea, bloating, and gas. People with lactose intolerance should avoid dairy products like milk and ice cream.

2. Gluten

Gluten is the general name for wheat, barley, rye, and triticale proteins.

Several conditions are related to gluten, including celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy.

Celiac disease involves an immune response, classified as an autoimmune disease.

When people with celiac disease are exposed to gluten, the immune system attacks the small intestine and can cause serious harm to the digestive system.

Wheat allergies are often confused with celiac disease due to their similar symptoms.

Suggested read: The 8 most common food allergies

They differ in that wheat allergies generate an allergy-producing antibody to proteins in wheat, while an abnormal immune reaction to gluten causes celiac disease.

However, many experience unpleasant symptoms even when they test negative for celiac disease or a wheat allergy.

This is known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity, a milder form of gluten intolerance estimated to impact anywhere from 0.5 to 13% of the population.

Symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity are similar to those of celiac disease and include:

Both celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity are managed with a gluten-free diet.

It involves adhering to a diet free from foods and products that contain gluten, including:

Summary: Gluten is a wheat, barley, rye, and triticale protein. People with gluten intolerance may experience abdominal pain, bloating, and headaches.

3. Caffeine

Caffeine is a bitter chemical in various beverages, including coffee, soda, tea, and energy drinks.

It’s a stimulant that reduces fatigue and increases alertness when consumed.

It does so by blocking receptors for adenosine, a neurotransmitter that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and causes drowsiness.

Most adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine daily without side effects. This is the amount of caffeine in about four cups of coffee.

However, some people are more sensitive to caffeine and experience reactions even after consuming a small amount.

This hypersensitivity to caffeine has been linked to genetics and a decreased ability to metabolize and excrete caffeine.

A caffeine sensitivity differs from a caffeine allergy involving the immune system.

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People with a hypersensitivity to caffeine may experience the following symptoms after consuming even a small amount of caffeine:

People sensitive to caffeine should minimize their intake by avoiding foods and beverages that contain caffeine, including coffee, soda, energy drinks, tea, and chocolate.

Summary: Caffeine is a common stimulant to which some people are hypersensitive. Even a small amount can cause anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and insomnia in some individuals.

4. Salicylates

Salicylates are natural chemicals plants produce to defend against environmental stressors like insects and disease.

Salicylates have anti-inflammatory properties. Foods rich in these compounds have been shown to protect against certain diseases like colorectal cancer.

These natural chemicals are found in various foods, including fruits, vegetables, teas, coffee, spices, nuts, and honey.

Aside from being a natural component of many foods, salicylates are often used as a preservative and may be found in medications.

While excessive amounts of salicylates can cause health problems, most people have no problem consuming normal amounts of salicylates found in foods.

However, some people are extremely sensitive to these compounds and develop adverse reactions when they consume even small amounts.

Symptoms of salicylate intolerance include:

While completely removing salicylates from the diet is impossible, those with a salicylate intolerance should avoid foods high in salicylates, like spices, coffee, raisins, and oranges, as well as cosmetics and medications that contain salicylates.

Summary: Salicylates are chemicals found naturally in many foods and used as preservatives in foods and medications. People who are intolerant to salicylates can experience symptoms like hives, stuffy nose, and diarrhea when exposed.

5. Amines

Bacteria produce amines during food storage and fermentation and are found in various foods.

Though many types of amines exist, histamine is most frequently associated with food-related intolerances.

Histamine is a chemical in the body that plays a role in the immune, digestive, and nervous systems.

It helps protect the body from infection by creating an immediate inflammatory response to allergens. This triggers sneezing, itching, and watery eyes to excrete harmful invaders potentially.

Suggested read: FODMAP: A detailed beginner's guide

In people without an intolerance, histamine is easily metabolized and excreted.

However, some people cannot break down histamine properly, causing it to build up in the body.

The most common reason for histamine intolerance is impaired function of the enzymes responsible for breaking down histamine — diamine oxidase and N-methyltransferase.

Symptoms of histamine intolerance include:

People with a histamine intolerance should avoid foods high in this natural chemical, including:

Summary: Histamine is a compound that can cause symptoms like itching, hives, and stomach cramps in people who cannot break down and excrete it from the body properly.

6. FODMAPs

FODMAPs is an abbreviation for fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols.

They are a group of short-chain carbohydrates found naturally in many foods that can cause digestive distress.

FODMAPs are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and travel to the large intestine, where they fuel gut bacteria.

The bacteria break down or “ferment” the FODMAPs, which produces gas and causes bloating and discomfort.

These carbohydrates also have osmotic properties, drawing water into the digestive system, causing diarrhea and discomfort.

Symptoms of a FODMAP intolerance include:

FODMAP intolerances are common in people with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

Up to 86% of people diagnosed with IBS experience a reduction in digestive symptoms when following a low-FODMAP diet.

There are many foods high in FODMAPs, including:

Summary: FODMAPs are a group of short-chain carbohydrates found in various foods. They can cause digestive distress in many people, especially those with IBS.

7. Sulfites

Sulfites are chemicals primarily used as preservatives in foods, drinks, and medications.

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They can also be found naturally in some foods like grapes and aged cheeses.

Sulfites are added to foods like dried fruit to delay browning and wine to prevent spoilage caused by bacteria.

Most people can tolerate the sulfites in foods and beverages, but some are sensitive to these chemicals.

Sulfite sensitivity is most common in people with asthma, though people without asthma can also be intolerant to sulfites.

Common symptoms of sulfite sensitivity include:

Sulfites can even cause airway constriction in asthmatic patients with sulfite sensitivity, and, in severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening reactions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that the use of sulfites must be declared on the label of any food containing sulfites or where sulfites were used during food processing.

Examples of foods that may contain sulfites include:

Summary: Sulfites are commonly used as preservatives and can be found naturally in certain foods. People who are hypersensitive to sulfites can experience symptoms like a stuffy nose, wheezing, and low blood pressure.

8. Fructose

Fructose, a type of FODMAP, is a simple sugar found in fruits and vegetables and sweeteners like honey, agave, and high-fructose corn syrup.

The consumption of fructose, especially from sugar-sweetened beverages, has risen dramatically in the past forty years and has been linked to an increase in obesity, liver disease, and heart disease.

Aside from a rise in fructose-related diseases, there has also been a surge in fructose malabsorption and intolerance.

In people with fructose intolerance, fructose isn’t efficiently absorbed into the blood.

Instead, the malabsorbed fructose travels to the large intestine, where it is fermented by gut bacteria, causing digestive distress.

Symptoms of fructose malabsorption include:

People with a fructose intolerance are often also sensitive to other FODMAPs and can benefit from a low-FODMAP diet.

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To manage symptoms related to fructose malabsorption, the following high-fructose foods should be avoided:

Summary: Fructose is a simple sugar that is malabsorbed by many people. It can cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea in those who can’t properly absorb it.

Other common food intolerances

The food intolerances listed above are among the most common types.

However, there are many other foods and ingredients to which people may be intolerant, including:

Summary: There are many foods and food additives to which people are intolerant. Food colorings, MSG, eggs, aspartame, and sugar alcohols have all been shown to cause symptoms in certain people.

Summary

Food intolerances differ from allergies. Most do not trigger the immune system, and their symptoms are usually less severe.

Suggested read: 9 signs and symptoms of celiac disease

However, they can negatively impact your health and should be taken seriously.

Many people are intolerant or hypersensitive to foods and additives like dairy products, caffeine, and gluten.

If you suspect you are intolerant to a certain food or additive, speak to your doctor or dietitian about testing and treatment options.

Although food intolerances are usually less serious than food allergies, they can negatively affect your quality of life.

This is why it’s important to identify food intolerances to prevent unwanted symptoms and health issues.

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