ALLERGY RESOURCES

COMPREHENSIVE ALLERGY RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - THE TOP 14 ALLERGENS AND BEYOND

COMPREHENSIVE ALLERGY RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - THE TOP 14 ALLERGENS AND BEYOND
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BLUEBERRY ALLERGY


Key Allergens

Blueberries are in the Ericaceae family of plants which includes cranberries, huckleberries and heathers.

Blueberries contain Lipid Transfer Protein. These are panallergens, proteins which are found in lots of groups of foods and can cause severe allergic reactions.

Like other berries, blueberries are high in natural Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) and are acidic, so can cause a rash on the face especially in babies and toddlers. Small children have a very low requirement of daily Vitamin C, so it can be easy for them to have more than the recommended intake if they eat a lot of fruit. This can cause gastrointestinal problems and point to food intolerance when this is not the case.


Food Intolerances

Food is high in FODMAP Food is high in salicylates

Blueberries are a high FODMAP food. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.

Blueberries are very high in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.

You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.

Associated Syndromes

Other plants in the Ericaceae family of plants include cranberries and huckleberries, if you suffer from an allergy to blueberries then you may also suffer allergic symptoms when eating these foods.

Blueberries are associated with LTP Syndrome, where you are allergic to seemingly unrelated groups of foods, but they all contain lipid transfer proteins.


Cross Reactivity

Other foods containing lipid transfer proteins include almonds, apple, apricot, asparagus, aubergine (eggplant), banana, beetroot, lupin, borlotti beans, broccoli, cabbage, celery, cherry, chestnut, corn, durum wheat, fennel, fig, goji berries, grapes, grapefruit, green beans, hazelnut, kidney beans, kiwi, lemon, lentil, lettuce, mulberry, mustard, onion, orange, parsley, parsnip, pea, peach, peanut, pear, plum, pomegranate, raspberry, strawberry, sunflower seed, tangerine, tomato, walnut and wheat.






Resources

Websites

Allergen Encyclopedia - Blueberry

Science Direct - Lipid Transfer Proteins

Healthline - FODMAP Foods

ATP Science - Salicylate Foods

Web MD - Salicylate Allergy


Articles and Journals

Vaccinium uliginosum L. (bog bilberry) and the search for its alleged toxicity: a review, 2024

Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) Induced Anaphylaxis in a Chinese Child with Lipid Transfer Protein Sensitization, 2023

Effects of a Low-FODMAP Diet on Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Both Children and Adults—A Narrative Review, 2023

Lipid transfer protein allergy: A review of current controversies, 2022

The diagnosis and management of allergic reactions in patients sensitized to non-specific lipid transfer proteins, 2021

Non-specific lipid transfer protein allergy in United Kingdom, 2019

Possible anaphylaxis to blueberry: potential cross-reactivity with other berries, 2018

The Biochemical Basis and Clinical Evidence of Food Allergy Due to Lipid Transfer Proteins: A Comprehensive Review, 2012

10 kDa lipid transfer protein: The main allergenic structure in a German patient with anaphylaxis to blueberry, 2009



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