Food allergy ‘explosion’ poses risk to vegans and vegetarians, say experts

[helvella]

An article with a very concerning warning.

I suggest it is well worth a read even if you are not vegan or vegetarian.

Of course, having read, you can make your own minds up whether this is a worry - or not. Or needs further research...

Food allergy ‘explosion’ poses risk to vegans and vegetarians, say experts

Products such as soya milk, fruit smoothies and raw vegetables can trigger pollen food syndrome attacks

An “explosion” in a food allergy poses a particular risk to vegans and vegetarians, one of Britain’s leading experts has warned.

Cases of pollen food syndrome (PFS) have risen markedly in recent years as a result of global heating, worsening pollution and changes in pollen patterns, Dr Isabel Skypala said.

theguardian.com/society/202...

[Alanna012]

Interesting. I get an itchy mouth after eating sometimes, but with everything going on I can't be bothered to dig into what it is.

Our immune systems are so compromised, I think it's increasingly rare for someone to have no allergies at all.

I wonder if eating food increasingly out of season has any effect? We get things like avocado's, apples, pears and most berries all year long. And all the nightshades as well.

One thing I do avoid as much as possible are pulses and soy.

Soy is the new gluten (as in easy filler), unfortunately, it is over-represented in vegan ready made foods, along with beans.

[cjrsquared]

Interesting article, I have had this for over 25 years. It used to be called oral allergy syndrome, it was much more common in Scandinavia, presumably due to a higher incidence of birch pollen. I respond very badly to raw carrots, swollen mucous membranes, but also more mildly to preparing other root vegetables. Fortunately I have been ok with other fruit and vegetables, it would be sad not to be able to eat cherries or tomatoes.

[Hedgeree]

I'd not heard of this before. Thanks for posting the link helvella.

I don't suffer with hay fever though like some if the pollen count is high I do get a bit sneezy. Not sure if it's tree pollen or otherwise.

Aubergine is something I instantly react to (makes my mouth water and then it comes straight back up again) so have stopped eating it but don't think that was included in the article; think that may be due to high histamine in the aubergine. Just in case it was a one off reaction I've hesitantly tried it again but same thing occurred and it happens very quickly. It makes me feel unwell for a few days following so not worth risking it.

Just assumed that these sensitivities (I also have problems with sulphites and some food colouring additives) were due to age/hormones or as my gp said 'just the way you are?!' but being a long term vegetarian and vegan it might be something to be aware of.