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"headline":"Could You Have A Sugar Allergy?",
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"description":"The quick answer is yes, it is possible to be allergic to sugar. But, it’s not as common to have a sugar allergy as it is to have a sugar intolerance. Here’s how it all works.",
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<article>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="#section1">Can You Be Allergic To Sugar?</a></li>
<li><a href="#section2">What Are The Symptoms Of Sugar Intolerance?</a></li>
<li><a href="#section3">Types of Sugar</a></li>
<li><a href="#section4">General Health Concerns of Sugar</a></li>
<li><a href="#section5">Can a Food Allergy or Intolerance Be Cured?</a></li>
<li><a href="#section6">Sugar Allergies—Wrapping Up</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</section>
<section>
<p>We all know sugar has a bad rap in the health world. </p>
<p>Playing a key role in the obesity epidemic and cardiometabolic diseases (like diabetes)<sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5174149/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">1</a></sup>, it’s not shocking that it’s majorly frowned upon. </p>
<p>But in addition to all that, some people can also have a sugar allergy or intolerance...making it even more important to avoid.</p>
<p>So, how can you tell if you are in fact allergic to sugar? And how do you develop an allergy or intolerance?</p>
<p>If you want to learn more about sugar allergies, we’ve broken it all down below: causes, symptoms to look for, common mistakes people make when it comes to “allergies” and more.</p>
</section>
<hr class="divider-50 divider-medium mx-auto">
<section id="section1">
<h2>Can you be allergic to sugar?</h2>
<p>The quick answer is <i>yes</i>, it is possible to be allergic to sugar. Though it’s not as common as having a <i>sugar intolerance</i> (which we’ll talk about a little later), sugar allergies do exist. <sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.aaaai.org/ask-the-expert/reactions-stevia-sucralose" rel="nofollow noreferrer">2</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11991625" rel="nofollow noreferrer">3</a></sup></p>
<p>So what are the known causes and symptoms of this type of allergy? We’ll break it down for you.</p>
<h3>Causes</h3>
<p>Simply put, a food allergy is when the immune system reacts quickly to get rid of something it perceives to be a threat.<sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-dictionary/food-allergies" rel="nofollow noreferrer">4</a></sup> So the same would be said for sugar.</p>
<p>The actual causes of food allergies can vary. Here are common ones: <sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.foodallergy.org/life-with-food-allergies/food-allergy-101/what-causes-food-allergies" rel="nofollow noreferrer">5</a></sup></p>
<ul>
<li>Genetics and family history</li>
<li>Having eczema</li>
<li>Having asthma</li>
<li>Environmental influences</li>
<li>Microbiome influences (specific bacteria in your stomach)</li>
</ul>
<p>Age also factors in for food allergies. Young children more commonly get food allergies than adults. Kids can also grow out of allergies, which is less common for adults. <sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.foodallergy.org/life-with-food-allergies/food-allergy-101/what-causes-food-allergies" rel="nofollow noreferrer">5</a></sup></p>
<h3>Symptoms</h3>
<p>Food allergies may trigger common symptoms such as: <sup><a target="_blank" href="https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy" rel="nofollow noreferrer">6</a></sup></p>
<ul>
<li>Cramping</li>
<li>Diarrhea</li>
<li>Congestion</li>
<li>Wheezing</li>
<li>Hives/Feeling itchy</li>
<li>Tightness in throat, lips, and mouth</li>
<li>Fast heart rate</li>
</ul>
<p>In more severe cases, a food allergy can cause <i>anaphylaxis</i>, which may cause difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, dizziness, and vomiting. In this case, seek medical attention immediately. <sup><a target="_blank" href="https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy" rel="nofollow noreferrer">6</a></sup></p>
</section>
<hr class="divider-50 divider-medium mx-auto">
<section id="section2">
<h2>What are the symptoms of sugar intolerance?</h2>
<p>Rest assured, though it <i>is</i> possible to be allergic to sugar, it is rare. Having a sugar <i>intolerance</i> or <i>sensitivity</i> is much more common. But, it can be tricky to know which is which because a lot of the symptoms look the same.</p>
<p>The main difference is that the immune system isn’t triggered by an intolerance. When you eat a culprit food that you are intolerant to, you may have similar symptoms to an allergy like: <sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.foodintol.com/fructose-intolerance/sugar-sensitivity" rel="nofollow noreferrer">7</a></sup></p>
<ul>
<li>Cramping</li>
<li>Diarrhea</li>
<li>Congestion</li>
<li>Wheezing</li>
<li>Hives/Feeling itchy</li>
<li>Gas</li>
<li>Bloating</li>
</ul>
<p>But, unlike the immune response of an allergy, a food intolerance is caused by your body <i>having a hard time digesting</i> a specific food.</p>
<p>If you have a sugar intolerance, it may be caused by digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a lack of certain enzymes, or prolonged stress. <sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4427694/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">8</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20978880" rel="nofollow noreferrer">9</a></sup></p>
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</section>
<hr class="divider-50 divider-medium mx-auto">
<section id="section3">
<h2>Types of Sugar</h2>
<p>There are various types of sugar, so what kind of sugar are we talking about? </p>
<p>Well, it's possible for someone to have an allergy or intolerance to <i>specific types</i> of sugar as opposed to <i>all</i> sugar. </p>
<p>Here are some common sugars that may trigger allergies or food intolerances:</p>
<p>
<table style="width:100%; border: 1px solid black;">
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 10px;">Fructose</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 10px;">A type of sugar found mainly in honey and fruit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 10px;">Lactose</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 10px;">A type of sugar found in milk and dairy products</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 10px;">Sucrose</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 10px;">A type of sugar found in cane and beet sugar</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 10px;">Sugar Alcohols</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 10px;">Types of sugars found in parts of plants like fruits and berries</td>
</tr>
</table>
</p>
<p>These types of sugar and others aren’t just found in sweet treats. They are also found in many types of fruits and veggies. </p>
<p>The reason these types of sugars may cause intolerance is because they are <i>short-chain carbohydrates</i>, which are harder to digest. This is especially the case for people with IBS or other digestive issues. <sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23588241" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10</a></sup></p>
<p>So, it’s good to be aware of what types of sugar you are eating if you are concerned about a sugar allergy or intolerance.</p>
<h3>Reading Sugar On Nutrition Labels</h3>
<p>It’s key to read nutrition facts to see if there are any hidden sugars. Sometimes, they hide in sauces and dressings or other places we’d least expect.</p>
<p><i>Always read processed or packaged food labels that you’re purchasing.</i></p>
<p>Ingredients like “brown sugar” or “cane sugar” you might recognize while browsing an ingredient list. However, “glucose” or “dextrose” can be more difficult to spot and avoid. Below is a list to help you identify other names for sugar.<sup><a target="_blank" href="https://dtc.ucsf.edu/living-with-diabetes/diet-and-nutrition/understanding-carbohydrates/demystifying-sugar/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">11</a></sup></p>
<ul>
<li>Glucose</li>
<li>Fructose</li>
<li>Dextrose</li>
<li>Maltose</li>
<li>Sucrose </li>
</ul>
<p>Anything ending in “-ose” is a suspect for a sugary substance. A good rule of thumb is if you don’t know what the ingredient is or can’t pronounce it, you most likely should avoid it.</p>
</section>
<hr class="divider-50 divider-medium mx-auto">
<section id="section4">
<h2>General Health Concerns of Sugar</h2>
<p>It should be mentioned that sugar isn’t known to make people feel <i>great</i> in the long run and the negative side effects of excessive sugar consumption can greatly impact your health.</p>
<p>Common negative side effects of consuming sugar include: <sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29772560" rel="nofollow noreferrer">12</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3820066" rel="nofollow noreferrer">13</a></sup></p>
<ul>
<li>Obesity</li>
<li>Metabolic syndrome</li>
<li>Inflammatory diseases</li>
<li>Tiredness</li>
<li>Reduced energy</li>
</ul>
<p>Since sugar can lead to general inflammation, tiredness and feeling bad, it can be easily confused for a sugar allergy or intolerance. Consult your doctor if you’re concerned whether your body is allergic or sensitive to sugar.</p>
</section>
<hr class="divider-50 divider-medium mx-auto">
<section id="section5">
<h2>Can a Food Allergy or Intolerance Be Cured?</h2>
<p>Unfortunately, if you do have a sugar allergy, it cannot be cured or reversed. <sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31733120" rel="nofollow noreferrer">12</a></sup></p>
<p>With an <i>intolerance</i>, you can experiment to see how much of a certain food you can tolerate and which ones trigger you.</p>
<p>Keep a food diary where you write down everything you eat in the day and track your symptoms. Over time, you will be able to see patterns that point to your food intolerances. Once you know what foods are causing your symptoms, you may want to stop consuming them.</p>
<p>Sugary culprits include: alcohol, fruit juices, soda, gluten, candy, and condiments.</p>
</section>
<hr class="divider-50 divider-medium mx-auto">
<section id="section6">
<h2>Sugar Allergies—Wrapping Up</h2>
<p>Even if you don’t have an allergy or intolerance, sugar has the power to worsen health issues from obesity to tiredness. It’s loaded with calories and doesn’t have nutritional value. If you do have a sugar allergy or intolerance, avoiding it is a no-brainer.</p>
<p>Eating it can also cause inflammation and disease. So, while it may have been a favorite in the past, it really is best to avoid it.</p>
<p>The good news is that there are still ways to add a little sweetness to your life if you eliminate sugar. Check out the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/diet/keto-sweeteners-which-ones-to-use-which-to-avoid/" rel="noreferrer">plant-based and natural sweeteners</a> we recommend and sugar-free <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/diet/" rel="noreferrer">recipes</a> we've developed to still enjoy sweet treats without the negative effects of sugar.</p>
<p>Infographic Source: </p>
<p><sup><a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://health.clevelandclinic.org/allergy-or-intolerance-how-to-tell-the-difference/&sa=D&ust=1581361161394000&usg=AFQjCNGw3M0xB88lKikfxoonJKD7sPE19A" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Allergy or Intolerance How to Tell the Difference</a></sup></p>
</section>
</article>
