Why Food Allergies Have Increased Recently?

Allergies can come in many shapes and sizes. The immune system helps in the creation of antibodies for protecting people from illnesses. Allergies are the immune system’s reactions to respond to the environmental substances most usually harmless to people. Further, it offers various materials like pollen, dust mites, food, insect stings, etc. Likewise, allergies can affect different parts of the body. About 90% of the reactions come from only 8 foods: wheat, fish, soy, eggs, peanuts, milk, and shellfish. Introduce allergens early to prevent common food allergies.

Reports have revealed that about 40% of children experience the worst kinds of food allergy symptoms. Food allergies have risen by 50% in the last decade, with over 700% rise in hospitalization by anaphylaxis. Give all types of foods to the children for preventing food allergies. About 250 million people in the world suffer from food allergies. It is estimated that over 3% of adults and 6% of children suffer from a food allergy.

What is the Reason Behind an Increase in Food Allergies?

Hygiene Hypothesis

The modern generations are too clean, with the developed countries having better water and sanitation supply. Furthermore, children are prone to severe food allergies. The microbes are the tiny organisms surrounding people. Some of these are viruses, matka bacteria, algae, etc. They help in boosting the immune system and detoxify the body.

With all the anti-bacterial soaps, hand sanitizers, and antibiotics, people feel they are preventing food allergies, but the case is entirely different. The immune system is confused as to what is good and what is not.

Obesity Among People

Obesity is linked to cancer, heart diseases but also food allergies. Secondly, studies have revealed that almost 30% of obese children are likely to have food allergies. It is vital to introduce allergens early so that these children can cope with the foods. Many asthmatic people are obese, leading to food allergies.

Deficiency of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is crucial for the body for bone growth and the development of the immune system. Likewise, deficiencies have led to depression, heart diseases, weight gain, etc. Vitamin D is something that humans produce themselves. The skin needs to be exposed to sunlight daily to create it.

People should get more Vitamin D for preventing food allergies. In the tech age, children spend less time outside, leading to less Vitamin D production in the bodies.

Eating more Processed Foods.

Processed foods are getting so popular since they taste so good but also lead to multiple diseases. Besides, AGE is a sugar-based molecule undergoing glycation. Glycation happens when you are heating sugar molecules to bind them to proteins or fat. Junk foods contain more AGEs forming under the skin.

Studies have shown that high AGE counts are linked to children with food allergies.

Pollution

People living next to highways or urban are more prone to food allergies. Further, the air pollutants act as irritants having sulfur dioxide, ozone, and nitrogen oxide. These lead to causing respiratory problems associated with food allergies.

Tobacco smoke increasing the risk of asthma and other sensitive allergies. Children growing up with smoking parents are far more likely to develop food allergies. It becomes essential to introduce allergens early in their lives to stop them from developing allergies.

Another crucial reason for the rise in food allergies is that parents are putting off feeding children with peanuts, eggs, soy, or shellfish early in their lives. There must be early exposure to the foods causing these allergies so that the bodies can cope with them easily. With the healthcare system rising, only fewer allergies are not tended to.

Conclusion

When it comes to food allergies, there is no absolute answer to the rise in the number. Likewise, the best way is to talk to a health care provider about the same. Ask them when is the safe time to feed allergy-causing foods to your children. Plan a balanced and nutritious diet for the family and follow it no matter what. With the population increasing, the exposure to green spaces reduces, making food allergies prevalent in the world. But with the right precautions, food allergies can be prevented. Take right care and understand the importance of introducing allergens early in life.