One in five does not tolerate some foods

For foods such as nuts, fruits and lactose most allergies

24/05/2013

Almost every fifth German suffers from a food allergy. This resulted in an investigation of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). According to this, most people are allergic to nuts, certain fruits or lactose (lactose). The study also found that the number of people with allergies is highest in the group with higher education.

Almost one in five abstains from certain foods
Food intolerances and allergies are becoming more and more popular in the German mind. 17 percent of the population are affected, as the TK announced on Thursday in Hamburg. The fund relied on their representative nutrition study „Eat something, Germany?“, according to the 28 percent of those affected on nuts, 29 percent on certain fruits and 25 percent on lactose. As the investigation showed, allergy sufferers pay more attention to a healthy diet than non-affected people. „Every second (47 percent) of them outweigh the phases in which they eat healthily. Only one in three non-affected people claims the same (33 percent)“, so the TK.

Another interesting finding from the study shows that the number of those with a higher level of education is rising. „People with higher education can interpret the symptoms more often and go to the specialist sooner. This is rarely the case in the less educated groups, "said TK nutrition expert Nicole Battenfeld.

For the investigation, the polling institute Forsa interviewed on behalf of the TK 1,000 over 18-year-olds to their dietary habits.

Allergy or intolerance to certain foods
Those who find that their body is hypersensitive to certain foods should see a doctor to see if they have allergy or intolerance. Most commonly, sufferers are allergic to chicken eggs, fish, milk, fruits and legumes. Allergy-specific antibodies can be detected in a blood test. However, if it is incompatibilities, the diagnosis is much more difficult.

Allergic reactions usually occur within 30 to 60 minutes after consuming a particular food. As a result, the allergy trigger can usually be quickly identified. In case of intolerance, however, the body's reaction can take from a few minutes to a few days. In addition, the symptoms vary significantly and range from gastrointestinal complaints, stomach aches, headaches and colds to the drop in blood pressure. (Ag)

Picture: Sigrid Rossmann