Many people suffer from intolerances. Do you regularly suffer from abdominal pain, bloating or diarrhea? These symptoms may indicate an onion intolerance.

Onions are an ingredient in many dishes. Most ready meals contain onions. They are included in many salads, soups and pasta dishes. The reason for using onions is not only their flavor but also their antibacterial effect. Onions are generally very healthy and good for your body. However, this only applies if you do not suffer from an intolerance.

People who suffer from onion intolerance are usually also intolerant to other foods such as garlic, leeks or chives. They are part of the allium family and therefore have the same components as onions.

You can read all about onion intolerance below.

What is a food intolerance?

Do you suffer from symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or flatulence after eating certain foods? Then you are probably suffering from a food intolerance.

Your body cannot digest a certain food or reacts to it with allergy-like symptoms. An intolerance to a certain food is also known as food intolerance.

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After eating the incompatible food, your body reacts with various symptoms. The digestive tract is usually affected. The classic symptoms of food intolerance are therefore usually nausea, diarrhea, vomiting or flatulence.

Tiredness and fatigue can also be indicative of a food intolerance. To find out which foods you are intolerant to, it is best to consult a doctor.

If the symptoms get worse or occur immediately after eating the food, you are probably suffering from a food allergy. In this case, you must contact a doctor immediately. An allergic reaction can be life-threatening in some cases. It is therefore not to be trifled with under any circumstances.

In most cases, the symptoms of an allergy affect the immune system. Skin rashes, itching, swelling and even shortness of breath are not uncommon with allergies.

Are onions healthy?

The onion is a leek plant. It is one of the most widely used vegetables in the world. It can be stored for a long time and is very versatile. It is therefore valued as a very valuable food in many cultures.

In China, it is used as a medicinal plant. The tuber is used to treat insect bites, scars, earaches and coughs. It is one of the oldest cultivated plants known to mankind. It was cultivated more than 5000 years ago. Even then, it was used to season food, but also as a vegetable.

Did you know that the tuber was even named medicinal plant of the year in 2015?

Antioxidants and sulphur substances are a major component of the tuber. These special ingredients have an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. Onions also contain many minerals and vitamins. Vitamin C and folic acid are also part of the healthy bulb.

If you don’t suffer from an intolerance to onions, then eating the healthy bulb is actually highly recommended.

What are the symptoms of onion intolerance?

An intolerance to onions usually affects the digestive tract. Classic symptoms are diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain and nausea.

Many of those affected also suffer from skin problems or feel a certain amount of tiredness after eating it.

It is important to make a clear distinction between onion intolerance and onion allergy symptoms. The symptoms of an allergy are usually much more intense. Those affected suffer from significantly more severe symptoms. In addition to the symptoms of intolerance, an allergy usually triggers additional symptoms such as a skin rash, itching or even shortness of breath.

If you experience any of the symptoms after eating onions, you should see a doctor urgently. The symptoms can range up to an allergic shock.

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Can I have an allergic reaction to onions?

Although onions are basically a very valuable food, many people still feel unwell after eating them.

What are the causes of onion intolerance? The causes vary greatly from person to person.

Basically, the tuber contains a lot of sulphur substances. These substances include certain amino acids. These are generally good for you and your intestinal flora. Nevertheless, they trigger symptoms of intolerance in many people. In this case, doctors speak of onion intolerance.

It is not uncommon for the human body to develop antibodies to certain foods. These are usually so-called IgG-4 antibodies. In most cases, these lead to symptoms that resemble an allergy.

This may be the case, especially if you eat onions frequently. By reducing your intake, the symptoms should decrease.

Many people with onion intolerance also suffer from intolerance to other vegetables from the same family. People who suffer from onion intolerance usually also have problems with eating garlic for this reason.

The reaction to the vegetables usually occurs around 30 minutes to 48 hours after eating them. In the case of an allergy, however, the immune system immediately sounds the alarm. If this is the case for you, consult a doctor immediately.

Have onion intolerance tested

To find out whether you suffer from onion intolerance, it is advisable to have a special test carried out. Onion intolerance is very likely, especially if you do not suffer from the symptoms immediately after eating the onion, but they only appear later. In this case, doctors also speak of an intolerance.

To find out whether you have an onion intolerance, you can have a special blood test carried out. You can do this either at your doctor’s or from the comfort of your own home. You will usually be tested directly for several foods during the test.

A test will then give you certainty as to whether and to which foods you are intolerant.

What to do in case of intolerance?

An intolerance to onions is particularly unpleasant. When you go out to eat in a restaurant, most dishes already contain onions. They serve as a flavor carrier and seasoning.

However, if you have an intolerance, it is important that you avoid eating onions altogether. Even if you generally like the bulb, you should avoid it if you have been diagnosed with an intolerance. By continuing to eat them, you are harming your body.

Only by completely eliminating vegetables from your diet can the symptoms improve in the long term.

In addition to abstaining, you can also strengthen your gut. This has probably been severely affected by the intolerance. Eat lots of probiotic foods. They help your gut to build up healthy intestinal flora.

If you have any questions on this topic, you can seek advice from a pharmacy. An intestinal flora complex could possibly help you to get your intestines back in shape more quickly. The complex contains intestinal bacteria and thus promotes the health of your intestines. It also protects it.

If you suffer from an intolerance but your symptoms are not severe, it can sometimes help to prepare the onions differently. You can add herbs and spices to the onions to help your body digest them better.

Fennel, ginger and caraway can help with the digestion of onions. Monitor your body after eating onions. As soon as the symptoms become more severe again, you must urgently refrain from eating onions.

Although onions are a healthy addition to many dishes, you should still avoid them if you suffer from an intolerance.

The symptoms can be very painful in the worst case and are definitely not worth it. Be sensible and reduce your consumption or avoid it altogether. You are doing your body a favor.

In the long term, it is possible that your body will recover from the intolerance. You may be able to eat onions again without any problems after a year of abstinence. Do the test on small quantities and pay close attention to your body.

What are the alternatives to onions?

If your intolerance is very severe, you should definitely avoid eating onions. However, this does not mean that your food will taste boring. There are many other spices that are similar to onions but are better tolerated.

Fennel is easy to digest and is also a good substitute for onions. Cut the fennel into thin strips, just like the onion. You will be amazed at how similar the two vegetables are.

Celery is also a good substitute for onions. The taste is not quite as pungent but also very intense.

Ginger and turmeric are great tubers for seasoning food. They also have a positive effect on your digestion and are very nutritious.