Although they may have similar symptoms, all three have a completely different etiology.

Let's see what each one is:

  • Food allergy is an adverse reaction mediated by the immune system. Symptoms appear suddenly within minutes of ingestion.
  • Food intoleranceFood intolerance: the immune system does not come into play. It is an adverse reaction of the body to foods that are not digested, metabolized or assimilated in our body.
  • Toxiinfection: adverse reaction of our organism caused by the ingestion of a toxic substance (toxins, pollutants, etc.). The reaction depends on the dose ingested.

 

A food allergy can develop and show itself after many years, never at the first intake.never at the first intake. It may be that a food that you have been taking all your life suddenly gives you a reaction. The symptoms appear very quickly (maximum 30 minutes after ingestion) and can be cutaneous, respiratory or digestive.

 

Unlike an allergy, an intolerance does appear at the first contact with the. It occurs because our body lacks the necessary "tools" to digest and metabolize this food so that it is left circulating in the intestine and is metabolized by the bacteria of our microbiota giving rise to gases and other metabolites that are toxic to our body.

The most common intolerances are to lactose, fructose, sorbitol or histamine. There is no drug that can cure an intolerance. The treatment is based on the suspension of food.

 

As we have commented above, food poisoning is caused by the ingestion of contaminated food.. The main symptom is an acute and very watery diarrhea that in many cases leads to dehydration.

It is very important to handle food hygienically and wash it well before eating to avoid ingestion of toxins.