Have you ever seen a friend eat something like shrimp or squid and suddenly develop red rashes and have difficulty breathing? Or eat some peanuts and start itching all over? This is what we simply call a ' food allergy '. This is actually a very common condition. However, a recent large study has found that these allergies do not affect everyone in the same way. Some groups are more at risk. So today we will talk about why this happens and what are the factors that contribute to it.
What did the latest study reveal?
According to this research conducted in the United States, overall, 11% of adults (that is, 11 out of every 100 people) and 8% of children (8 out of every 100 people) have allergies to various foods.
But what's surprising is that this varies by race and income level. According to the study, food allergies are more common among Asians, Hispanics, and blacks than whites. And the condition is also more common in low-income families than in high-income families.
Here is the data simply.
| Group | Percentage with Food Allergies |
|---|---|
| Adults in General | 11% |
| Children in General | 8% |
| Non-Hispanic White | 9.5% |
| Asians | 10.5% |
| Hispanics | 10.6% |
| Blacks (Non-Hispanic Black) | 10.6% |
| High-Income Households | 8.3% |
Now you might be thinking, 'So what's the reason for this?' Let's see.
Is this only due to genes?
Many people think that allergies are hereditary, meaning they are caused by genes. While there is some truth to that, doctors say that genes are not the only main reason for this variation.
As medical experts point out, this difference is largely influenced by the environment in which we are born and live, and the social and economic factors associated with it.
Simply put, things like the way you live, your environment, and the air you breathe can affect this more than your genes.
How does the environment and our lifestyle affect this?
This is a bit of a complicated topic, but I'll explain it simply. There are two main points.
1. The little friends in our intestines (Gut Microbiome)
Imagine your gut is a big city. There are good citizens in this city, and there are bad ones. These good citizens are what we call 'good bacteria'. They help us digest our food, protect us from disease, and keep our immune system strong. The collection of billions of microbes that live in this gut is called the Gut Microbiome in medical science.
These good bacteria enter our bodies from the environment we live in when we are born and when we are young. Think of a child growing up in a village. He plays with dirt, runs around in the trees. He gets exposed to a variety of microbes. That makes his ``Gut Microbiome'' more diverse and strong.
But a child growing up in an urban, overly-clean environment may not get this diversity. When this ``Gut Microbiome'' is out of balance, our body's immune system starts to go haywire. Then, even foods that are usually harmless to the body, like peanuts, milk, and eggs, are recognized as a big enemy and start to fight against them. That reaction is what comes out as an allergy.
2. Air pollution and allergies
Studies have shown that people who live in areas with high levels of air pollution are at higher risk of developing allergies and asthma . Things like vehicle exhaust and chemicals from factories affect our respiratory system as well as our immune system. These pollutants can cause our immune system to be over-reactive. This can lead to an overreaction to something as harmless as food.
According to a study in the US, non-white communities and low-income people often live in industrial areas with high levels of air pollution. This may be one reason for the increased incidence of allergies among them.
Economic situation and health problems
Having a food allergy can be a huge financial burden for a family. Imagine your child is allergic to milk and wheat flour. Then you can't buy things like bread, biscuits, and cakes from a regular store. Instead, you have to look for special, expensive ``gluten-free`` or ``dairy-free`` products.
Not only that, you have to go to the doctor regularly. You have to spend money on allergy tests and medications. If your allergies suddenly worsen, you may have to go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU). All of this puts a lot of pressure on the family's finances.
Additionally, people with food allergies are at increased risk of developing other allergy-related conditions, such as eczema and asthma . All three conditions are linked.
Therefore, when a low-income family finds it difficult to afford these additional expenses, the health condition of the child or adult may worsen.
Take-Home Message
- Although food allergy is a common condition, it affects certain groups of people and those with low incomes more.
- This is not just down to genetics. The environment you live in, air pollution, and the health of your gut microbiome are also important.
- Living in an urban, polluted environment can increase the risk of allergies.
- If you or someone in your family frequently experiences symptoms such as skin rashes, itching, difficulty breathing, or stomach pain when you eat a certain food, it may be a food allergy.
- If you have any doubts, never make decisions based on guesswork, but always consult your family doctor (doctor) for advice. It is very important to seek proper diagnosis and treatment.
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