Common Symptoms of Food Sensitivity

Written By: Jordan Stachel, MS, RDN, CPT

Food sensitivities affect many people worldwide and are different from food allergies. What many people don’t know is that food sensitivities can affect overall health, and can be more difficult to diagnose. While they may be less scary symptom-wise than a food allergy, these mysterious and highly individualistic food sensitivities can still cause unpleasant and unwanted reactions.

Luckily, with growing awareness and food sensitivity testing capabilities, it’s easier to begin the process of identifying which foods may be connected to an unwanted symptom you are experiencing.

Digestive Symptoms

It is very common for food sensitivities to affect the digestive system. Digestive symptoms of food sensitivities often include [3]:

• Itching in the inside of the mouth
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Cramping in the abdomen
• Vomiting; this is one of the most common responses to food sensitivities that people experience
• Diarrhea

Skin Reactions

The skin can also show signs of food sensitivity. If the skin begins to get inflamed, sometimes known as atopic dermatitis or allergic eczema, this could be a sign of food sensitivities. [4] This sometimes presents as dry, itchy, or scaly skin that is ultimately caused by an allergic immune response that results in inflammation.

You may also have a skin-based reaction present if you encounter a food that touches the skin, rather than through ingestion. Meaning, it is possible to become aware of food sensitivities due to topical exposure. If there is something with nuts on it that touches the skin, and this causes a rash or hives to appear, this could signify a skin-based reaction to a food sensitivity. [5]

Fatigue and Brain Fog

Food sensitivities may also cause the body to respond by increased levels of fatigue and/or lower energy levels in general. There has been some research to indicate that those who live with food sensitivities have higher reports of chronic fatigue. [3] This has been more commonly reported with gluten sensitivity than with other food groups.

Part of this relationship may have to do with the impairment of nutrient absorption that having food sensitivities can result in. For example, if you have a gluten sensitivity and are unaware and are regularly consuming gluten, this can lead to higher levels of intestinal permeability and a lack of adequate nutrient absorption. [3] If your body is not absorbing the nutrients it needs, this will affect overall energy levels.

Headaches and Migraines

Another possible symptom of food sensitivities can be headaches or migraines. This is because food sensitivities and higher levels of IgG antibodies can increase levels of inflammation, which can worsen and/or cause migraines. [6]

The link between food sensitivities and headaches is highly individualized, but it is advised to look for the foods that have the highest circulating levels of IgG, causing increased levels of inflammation, including neuroinflammation. With the help of a qualified healthcare provider, your testing results can be reviewed, and a plan of action can be formulated to limit foods that may be causing higher levels of inflammation in the body.

Joint Pain and Inflammation Symptoms

As mentioned above, symptoms of food sensitivities can lead to higher levels of inflammation. While this is a somewhat normal physiological response, it could further exacerbate joint pain and/or arthritis for people who are already living with these conditions. [7] Arthritis is a condition in which higher levels of inflammation are present in the body. If someone with joint pain or arthritis is consuming foods that they are sensitive to, this may further exacerbate their already inflamed state.

Many people who live with inflammatory conditions report that they believe that food affects their levels of inflammation. For these people, it may be helpful to follow an anti-inflammatory dietary regimen to best optimize overall health and well-being.

Mood and Cognitive Symptoms

Living with food sensitivities can take a toll on your mental health. While more research is needed into the correlation with how food sensitivities affect mood and/or cognition, there is sound research to indicate that living with food allergies can take a big mental toll. [8]

Food allergies and sensitivities can be scary to live with and can affect overall mood and quality of life for people. Those living with food allergies report that they often cause psychological burdens and, as children especially, people may be at a higher risk for general mood and/or cognitive impairment due to these burdens. [8] The good news is that you don’t need to tackle food allergies or sensitivities alone, and getting help from a team of qualified healthcare providers is advised.

Food Sensitivity vs. Allergy vs. Intolerance

The key difference in these different types of reactions is how your body reacts once a trigger food is encountered. For both allergies and sensitivities, your body may produce certain classes of antibodies to triggering substances. Common food allergens prompt the production of IgE, while food sensitivities may result from IgG reactions. Testing for these two antibodies is the most definitive way to distinguish between an allergy and a sensitivity, and an IgG test offers insights into what foods might be causing an unwanted or unpleasant symptom.

Long-Term Health Impacts of Unaddressed Food Sensitivity

As seen above, food sensitivities can be associated with several different kinds of symptoms. If you or someone you know is having these symptoms on a consistent basis, and you have not begun to try to solve them, unaddressed food sensitivities may have health impacts on the body. [3]

Some of the possible longer-term health impacts of unaddressed food sensitivities could be:

• Nutritional deficiencies: If the body is having malabsorption, it is possible to become deficient in key nutrients that the body needs to function.
• Mood concerns: The constant stress or worries of living with food sensitivities can take a toll on the mind and body.
• Increased levels of general inflammation: Food sensitivities can sometimes cause increased levels of inflammation in the body. This can lead to swelling or exacerbation of other medical conditions people may be living with.

When To Seek Professional Advice for Symptoms

If you or someone you know believes that they may have food sensitivities, seeking care is warranted. This will help ensure that you are not at risk for the short- or long-term health impacts of unaddressed food sensitivities.

Food sensitivities can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go at them alone. Everlywell offers two testing options for food sensitivities, our Food Sensitivity Comprehensive Test and our Food Sensitivity Test, both of which are a great starting point for getting answers to some important questions. From there, your results are analyzed, and you will have access to top-of-the-line healthcare providers who will help make next steps easier. Take control of your health today with Everlywell.

References

1. Lavine E. Blood testing for sensitivity, allergy or intolerance to food. CMAJ. 2012;184(6):666-668. doi:10.1503/cmaj.110026
2. Tuck CJ, Biesiekierski JR, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Pohl D. Food intolerances. Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1684. doi:10.3390/nu11071684
3. Gargano D, Appanna R, Santonicola A, et al. Food allergy and intolerance: a narrative review on nutritional concerns. Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1638. doi:10.3390/nu13051638
4. National Institutes of Health. Scientists identify unique subtype of eczema linked to food allergy. Published February 20, 2019. Accessed December 19, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
5. Katta R, Schlichte M. Diet and dermatitis: food triggers. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):30-36.
6. Zhao Z, Jin H, Yin Y, et al. Association of migraine with its comorbidities and food specific immunoglobulin G antibodies and inflammatory cytokines: cross-sectional clinical research. J Pain Res. 2021;14:2359-2368. doi:10.2147/JPR.S316619
7. Tedeschi SK, Frits M, Cui J, et al. Diet and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: survey results from a rheumatoid arthritis registry. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2017;69(12):1920-1925. doi:10.1002/acr.23225
8. Teufel M, Biedermann T, Rapps N, et al. Psychological burden of food allergy. World J Gastroenterol. 2007;13(25):3456-3465. doi:10.3748/wjg.v13.i25.3456