A first of its kind research study on city specific foods and allergies in Hyderabad revealed that many city residents are allergic to common foods like chickpea, cumin, walnut, brinjal, cabbage and betel leaf. Interestingly, Hyderabadis are not allergic to peanut, a common allergen in the West.
As many as 77 foods were tested on a select group of people in the city as part of the research carried out in four hospitals here. The study was conducted at the city-based National Institute of Nutrition. Patients between the age of 18 and 60 years with clinically diagnosed atopic diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, and gastrointestinal-induced allergic symptoms were enrolled for the research study.
The study revealed that of the 77 listed food items, allergic reaction was found for three food items (chickpea, walnut, and cumin) across all age groups. The reactions ranged from simple cough to breathlessness and asthma. The older the person the higher the incidence of allergic reactions. The result of the study was published in ‘The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology’ (May 2024).
According to the study, asthma was the most commonly diagnosed atopic disease (26.4%), with itching and rash being frequently reported symptoms (22.7%). Chickpea, cabbage, brinjal, walnut, cumin, and betel leaf were the most commonly reported trigger foods.
“In present study in Hyderabad, 91.6% of participating patients perceived at least one commonly consumed food item to be associated with their diagnosed atopic diseases, indicating a high level of self-imposed dietary restriction that may lead to nutritional deficiencies,” the researchers said. They added that the reported food triggers were most commonly local dietary staples, while reported reactions to priority allergens like peanut and sesame were conspicuously absent.
The study revealed that the most common atopic conditions were asthma (26.4%) and allergic rhinitis (22.1%), followed by combinations like asthma–urticaria (19.6%), asthma–allergic rhinitis (15.6%), asthma–allergic rhinitis–urticaria (13.6%), and allergic rhinitis–urticaria (2.7%).
“Reported symptoms included breathlessness, runny/stuffy nose, itching/rash, diarrhea or vomiting (not food poisoning), headache, and fainting or dizziness,” the study added.