What is food reactivity?

Food reactivity refers to an adverse immune response to a food, which can manifest in various ways, including allergy-like symptoms or other immune-mediated effects. This definition encompasses a broader spectrum of reactions than just traditional food allergies.

When someone experiences food reactivity, their immune system mistakenly identifies a particular food or component as a threat, triggering a response. This might involve the production of antibodies or activation of immune cells, leading to inflammation or other symptoms that can affect different body systems.

In contrast, while food allergies are a specific type of food reactivity involving an immediate immune response (often mediated by Immunoglobulin E), food reactivity itself can also include delayed responses or other non-IgE mediated events. The other options mentioned, such as allergies or digestive intolerance, do not encapsulate the full range of immune responses that can occur with food reactivity.