Five years ago, Johanna Bond went out to dinner with friends who were visiting her in Rochester, NY. As they chatted, Bond, a licensed mental health counselor, nibbled on an ordinary appetizer-garlic bread dipped in marinara sauce. But suddenly, her gums tingled. Her throat tightened. She became nauseated and began to shake. In a panic, Bond called her mother, a former emergency room nurse.
“It made me afraid to eat,” says Bond. “I never imagined I’d be dealing with this. I thought only kids got food allergies.” It’s a common misconception. While food allergies are twice as common in children, adults like Bond can and do develop food allergies, and it’s happening more often.
How common are food allergies in adults?
Nearly half of grown-ups with food allergies first experienced them during adulthood, a 44% increase since 2004, says a study presented last fall at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) annual scientific meeting. Related research shows adults most commonly have their first reaction in their early 30s.
In the midst of this spike in adult-onset allergies, doctors are also faced with a separate problem: an influx of people who incorrectly believe they have food allergies.
“Eventually, others may not take what can be a life-threatening condition seriously,” says Vandana Sheth, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Torrance, CA, who specializes in food allergies. “It can put people who really do have food allergies at risk.”
What are the potential causes of food allergies?
As to why adult-onset allergies are on the rise overall, the answer probably isn’t simple. “I don’t think there’s any one reason,” says Beth Corn, MD, medical director of the Division of Immunology Faculty Practice Associates at Mount Sinai Hospital. However, experts suspect these three things may play a role.
Lack of exposure
If an individual doesn’t come in contact with allergens like nuts and fish during infancy, it may lead to the development of allergies later on in life.
Vitamin D deficiency
Today, nearly 70% of adults don’t get enough vitamin D, which plays an important role in immune function. Studies in kids and adolescents have shown an association between low levels of vitamin D and increased sensitivity to allergies.
Off-kilter bacteria
Recent research suggests that changes in the gut microbiome may also be responsible. “Levels of both good and bad bacteria in the gut can be altered by antibiotics and antibacterial products-and possibly even dietary habits-and that could lead to food allergies,” Dr. Sharif says. Preliminary animal research shows high fiber intake could boost good gut bacteria that help the immune system resist allergies, but the average American gets only 15 g of fiber per day, or 60% of the daily value.
Do you have an allergy or intolerance?
The confusion surrounding allergies is apparent: In a 2015 survey conducted by the ACAAI, 49% of Americans said they were only somewhat or not at all knowledgeable about food allergies. Fad diets that incorrectly characterize certain foods as allergens are part of the problem; another issue, says Dr. Sharif, is that it can be easy to confuse food allergies with food intolerances (sometimes called food sensitivities). To clear things up, here are the key ways they’re different:
