Food intolerance is completely different from food allergy and the two should not be mixed. Food allergy is caused by a response of the immune system against food proteins, thinking they are harmful substances. Food intolerance is not food poisoning, which is caused by toxic substances that would cause symptoms in anyone who ate the food. Food intolerance is not life threatening either.
Symptoms
Food intolerances are rarely harmful but may cause unpleasant symptoms:
- nausea
- bloating
- abdominal pain
- diarrhoea - usually begins about half an hour after eating or drinking the food in question.
The severity of symptoms varies from one person to another and depends on two factors: how much or little enzymes a person produces; and on the quantity of food consumed.
