Do you also feel sick when you eat soy? Let's talk about soy allergy

Sometimes we start to feel itchy, bloated, or have a stomach ache shortly after eating a food, right? Maybe that's what happened to you too. One reason for this could be a food allergy. Today we're talking about something that's common among many people, but it's important to be aware of. That's soy allergy , or Soy Allergy.

What exactly is soy allergy?

Simply put, a soy allergy is an overreaction by your body to a protein found in soybeans. Our bodies have a defense system, which we call the immune system . Its job is to protect us from things like germs that cause disease .

But in someone with a soy allergy, this defense system goes awry. Their immune system recognizes the soy protein, which is actually harmless, as a threat to the body. So, when you eat something containing soy or put it on your body, this defense system starts to fight against it. The result of this fight is the allergy symptoms we mentioned earlier.

What are the symptoms of this?

Symptoms can appear within minutes to hours of consuming something containing soy. They can range from mild to very severe.

The most important thing is to be aware of these symptoms, because in some cases they can be life-threatening.

Let's see what these symptoms are.

Why do we get soy allergies?

As we discussed earlier, this is a misguided response by the immune system. When soy proteins enter the body, the immune system releases large amounts of chemicals called histamines . These chemicals are what cause allergy symptoms .

Some people are more likely to develop a soy allergy. Here are some factors that may contribute to this:

• Family history: If someone in your family has other food allergies, such as soy, milk, peanuts, or wheat, you are more likely to develop a soy allergy.
• Childhood: Soy allergies are most common in young infants and children, but some children outgrow the condition as they get older.
• Other allergies: If you already have allergies to other foods, such as milk, beans, or wheat, you may also be allergic to soy.

How do you know for sure if this is an allergy?

If you suspect you have a soy allergy, don't make decisions on your own. The best thing to do is to see a doctor ) and get advice. He or she will examine you and, if necessary, recommend the following tests:

• Skin Prick Test: This involves placing a small drop of liquid containing a very small amount of soy protein on your skin and making a small prick with a small needle. If you are allergic to soy, the area will turn red and swell like a small blister within a few minutes.
• Blood Test: This involves taking a sample of your blood and measuring the level of antibodies your body makes against soy proteins.

After these tests, your doctor will tell you exactly whether you really have a soy allergy or not.

How to protect yourself from allergies?

If you have a confirmed soy allergy, it's not enough to just avoid tofu and soy sauce. Many processed foods that we don't think about may contain soy. So be very careful about these things.

1. Always read the label.

Be sure to read the ingredients list of any packaged food you buy from the store. Look carefully for words like soy, soybean, or soyabean. Sometimes soy may be listed on the label under other names. We'll talk about that later.

2. Be careful in restaurants

Even if you order a soy-free meal from a restaurant, there are still some risks. For example, if you've previously prepared something with soy on the same spoon or pan that you used to prepare your meal, a small amount could end up in your food. So, be clear about your allergy and ask for your meal to be prepared without any soy contact.

3. Talk to your doctor about Soy Oil and Soy Lecithin

This is a bit complicated. Highly refined soy oils often have the allergenic proteins removed. So most people with soy allergies won't have a problem with them. This is also common with soy lecithin, which is used in things like chocolate and margarine.

However, cold-pressed, expelled, or extruded soy oils (sometimes called gourmet oils) can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, it is best and safest to talk to your doctor about what is safe and what is not for you.

Foods containing soy that you should definitely avoid

Other foods that may contain soy

The foods on this list may sometimes contain soy, so it's important to check the label.

Other names that may appear instead of 'soy' on labels

Sometimes, the label may not directly say 'soy', but instead may include names like these. If you see these, it's wise to avoid that food.

• Glycine max (this is the scientific name for soybeans)
• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
• Mono-diglyceride
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – Soy is used in the production of some types of MSG.

Remember a simple rule: If you see a name you don't recognize, look it up. If in doubt , it's safest to avoid the food.