Four Likely Reasons Why Food Allergies are on The Rise
The New York Daily News recently ran an article attempting to explain why food allergies are on the rise, particularly in the U.S.
Young children are the group most likely to be affected.
"As many as 8 percent of children under the age of three have food allergies," says Sampson.
In children, the most common food allergies are milk, eggs and peanuts. About 2.5 percent of children under the age of four are allergic to milk, while 1.5 percent are allergic to eggs and 0.8 percent are allergic to peanuts. Other foods that often cause allergies are wheat, soy and sesame products.
Scientists still don't know exactly what causes food allergies, but Dr. Hugh Sampson thinks:
1. It probably has something to do with our Americanized diet.
2. That we're not exposed to enough germs or pathogens, which means our immune systems aren't as developed as they'd be otherwise.
3. That chemicals such as preservatives have made our food very different.
4. That we've changed the fatty-acid content in our diet.
In children, the most common food allergies are milk, eggs and peanuts. About 2.5 percent of children under the age of four are allergic to milk, while 1.5 percent are allergic to eggs and 0.8 percent are allergic to peanuts. Other foods that often cause allergies are wheat, soy and sesame products.
Scientists still don't know exactly what causes food allergies, but Dr. Hugh Sampson thinks:
1. It probably has something to do with our Americanized diet.
2. That we're not exposed to enough germs or pathogens, which means our immune systems aren't as developed as they'd be otherwise.
3. That chemicals such as preservatives have made our food very different.
4. That we've changed the fatty-acid content in our diet.