Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Food Hypersensitivity

Food intolerance, also known as non-IgE mediated food hypersensitivity or non-allergic food hypersensitivity, refers to difficulty in digesting certain foods. It is important to note that food intolerance is different from food allergy. Food allergies trigger the immune system, while food intolerance does not. Some people suffer digestive problems after eating certain foods, even though their immune system has not reacted – there is no histamine response. Food hypersensitivity includes a wide spectrum of symptoms and mechanisms. Many researchers and clinicians have discussed the possible role of the gut (barrier) and the mucosal immune system in the development of food allergies. Factors that have been addressed in particular include weaning and the weaning diet, age of solid food introduction and breast feeding, gut bacteria, and gastrointestinal infections .