Legumes stand out for two advantages: high benefits for the body and their nutritional quality. Beyond its advantages, as with any food, it can produce some adverse reactions in consumers. Even develop some kind of allergy.
Legume allergy is an adverse reaction of the body after the intake of this type of food. In the most extreme cases, it can occur due to only physical contact with the legume involved or with the inhalation of the flour powder.
The lentils, the one that creates the most problems in Spain
Among the most common allergies, to soy and peanut. However, they can also appear with lentils, beans, or chickpeas. They all have something in common: they belong to the same food group, the edible seeds of some legumes.
In the case of Spain, the legumes that have given the most problems are lentils, in 78 per cent of cases. These are followed by chickpeas (72 per cent) and peanuts (33 per cent). Among children, the fifth most common cause of food allergy and in the adult population is the seventh.
If we develop any allergy, it is most normal that it is only to a type of legume, in isolation. But sometimes there can also be problems with other varieties, a cross-reaction. If this happens, it is essential to go to the specialist to know precisely what foods cause problems. And, based on this, a treatment plan can be developed.
More common reactions
An allergy is a defensive reaction of the body to a harmful component. When we eat it, we end up generating antibodies. The result is the release of histamine and other inflammatory components with the consequent allergic reaction. Whatever the main food involved (such as beans or chickpeas, for example), symptoms are often similar.
According to the Anaphylaxis Campaign Foundation, the most common reactions are:
– Nausea and vomiting.
– Rinitis.
– Oral allergy syndrome: itching in the mouth, lips, tongue, or pharynx.
– Hives and the appearance of skin rashes anywhere in the body.
– Difficulty breathing and asthma attacks.
– In the most severe case, we’d be talking about anaphylaxis. This is a sharp drop in blood pressure, from which suffocation and loss of consciousness can result.
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