What is Legume Allergy? Are You Conscious About this Disease?

What is Legume Allergy?

Food-related allergies are common among us. Legume allergy is one of them but can be severe sometimes. There are many foods in the legume family, But all are not allergic. It varies from man to man.

 

Sometimes our immune system can’t accept some foods. It also treats those as harmful to our health. We know this as a food allergy. The immune system process sensitization and make antibodies. After that, it creates histamine, and we notice allergic reactions.

Legume Allergy: What are the Foods?

Peas:

• Snow pea or Green pea or Sugar snap pea
• Chickpea
• Mange-tout Split or dried pea
• Black-eyed pea

Beans:

• Kidney bean 
• Haricot or Navy bean
• Cannellini bean 
• Pinto bean
• Borlotti bean 
• Black turtle bean 
• Flageolet bean 
• Broad or Fava bean
• Runner bean 
• French bean or Green bean or String bean
• Mung bean 
• Adzuki bean
• Black-eyed bean or pea
• Butter or Lima bean 
• Garbanzo bean 
• Soybean

Lentils:

• Brown lentil 
• Red lentil 
• Puy lentil
• Green lentil 
• Beluga lentil
• Pardina lentil

Besides, soya, lupin, tamarind, and peanuts are also in the legume family.

Are Peanut Legumes? Is it cause Legume Allergy?

Many of us have allergies with peanuts. Peanut is also a member of the legume family. But, peanuts are not the same as tree nuts. Peas, lentils, soya, etc. grows underground, and peanuts have similarities with these. Again, many people also have a tree nut allergy. 

Peanuts are popular as snacks. Many physicians say that we should not process peanuts. They suggest that we should boil peanuts to avoid allergic reactions. Again, some studies state that children suffer more with peanut allergy. In general, it causes an oral cavity. But, it also causes asthma and anaphylaxis that need urgent treatments. Opposite thoughts say that people with peanut allergy can eat other legumes. So, they can eat those without any hesitation.

What are the Symptoms of Legume Allergy?

The standard and mild symptoms are-

• Oral Cavity
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Itching
• Cough
• Redness of the skin
• Urticaria includes nettle rash or hives. These may affect the mouth
• Swelling of lips

Some severe signs may include:

• Eczema
• Wheeze
• Diarrhea
• Rashes on the skin
• Anaphylaxis: Breathing problem, chest tightness, swelling of throat and tongue, etc.

Legume Allergy: What Kind of Foods Should We Avoid?

There are extensive kinds of foods around the world. No doubt, people feel happy to add legumes in their diets. In general, some foods indeed contain legumes. Examples are-

• People use legumes in fish and meat products.
• Vegan foods: Plant milk, sorbets, salads, chickpea water, sauces, vegan meringue, etc.
• We sometimes process fridge, bake food items. They also contain legumes. Examples are- Bread, ice-creams, pastries, gluten-free cakes, puddings, etc.
• Medicines like vitamin supplements may contain legumes. 

Besides, dishes from different countries and regions also contain legumes. 

• Chinese dishes — Chinese people use mange-tout and sugar snap peas in stir-fries.
• Indian Dishes — Pithas, pakoras, Bhajis, dosas are popular foods that contain legumes. People use lentil or gram flour to make these foods. Dahl, as well as khichri, also includes legumes such as lentils. Again, fenugreek plants and seeds are very famous in this region. Masala or curry powder often contains fenugreek. 
• Mexican Dishes — Different recipes of soups, Mexican sauces contain legumes. Chilli, burritos, and enchiladas may contain beans.   
• Middle Eastern Foods — Hummus and falafel are top-rated food items. They contain chickpea.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Legume Allergy :

If anyone notices the allergic reactions, he/she must consult a doctor. Besides, they should observe if any specific food is the reason for the responses. In this case, an allergy specialist doctor is best, no doubt. 

Patients should discuss with the consultant about symptoms and their medical histories. Blood tests, skin prick tests are standard tests. They help to figure out the conditions of patients. Again, patients with anaphylaxis or breathing problem must go to an allergy clinic. In emergency cases, doctors sometimes suggest an adrenaline auto-injector for personal use.

 

Legume Allergy: Is Reading Food Level Necessary?

Many people have food allergy nowadays. No doubt, they should avoid those specific foods. For that, reading ingredients’ names is an excellent technique to remain conscious. Foods’ packets contain all the names. It is necessary to learn names.

• We need to check the food labels of the packets. We should not buy products without names.
• Allergic patients should check those foods in the ingredients’ names.
• Compound ingredients may contain legumes. If anyone feels doubt, then h contact the manufacturer.
• In general, manufacturers only mention 14 names of allergens. So, only manufacturers can provide information in detail. Again, everybody should be aware of the terms –

• ‘flavoring,’ 
• ‘natural flavoring,’ 
• ‘may contain..’ etc.

Besides, restaurants also do not list other names except those 14 allergens. But, we can contact the expert chefs. We also can talk with the waiting staff. Again, few good restaurants add full details of ingredients in their menus. We have to do is reading the menus. But, if anyone feels any doubt, then it is better to avoid it. The best thing is to carry the list of anyone’s allergens. The patients can also take emergency medicines to eat outside.

Legumes Allergy in Babies :

Peas: This may be an allergen to some babies. So, mothers should do some study about it. They can consult with a doctor also. Before add peas or any new food to a baby’s diet, it’s necessary.

Mild and severe symptoms are all the same as the older people.

Diagnosis methods are-

• Research personal and medical history
• Food removing test
• Physical exam

According to the disease’s condition, doctors provide various treatments.

Peanuts: Many child suffer from a peanut allergy. Sometimes a test of a baby with any beans shows positive results. In actuality, it proves that the baby has a peanut allergy. It may grow with age. Again, airborne peanut allergies also occur in some older children.

The signs of peanut allergy are the same. We should remain aware of it and consult doctors.

Legumes Allergy: Should We Avoid Legumes for Lifetime?

The health benefits of legumes are many. Again, not all legumes are allergens for one person.  So, it is clear that we should not avoid them for a lifetime. There are both nutritional and antinutritional values. According to the choice and suggestions of doctors, we can eat legumes.

Here are some nutritional values of Legumes-

	Protein (1 cup equals)	Fiber (1 cup equals)	Calories (1 cup equals)	Calcium (1 cup equals)	Carbs (1 cup equals)
Peas	8.6g	8.8g	134	43.2mg	25g
Split Peas	16.3g	16.3g	229	27.4mg	41.1g
Soy Beans	28.6g	10.3g	298	175mg	17.1g
White Beans	17.4g	11.3g	249	161mg	44.9g
Cranberry	16.5g	15.2g	241	88.5mg	43.3g
Beans	17.9g	15.6g	230	37.6mg	39.9g
Edamame	16.9g	8.1g	189	97.6mg	15.8g
Lentils
Kidney Beans	15.3g	13.1g	225	49.6mg	40.4g
Black Beans	15.2g	15g	227	46.4mg	40.8g
Navy Beans	15g	0g	255	126mg	47.4g
Pinto Beans	15.4g	15.4g	245	78.6mg	44.8g
Chickpeas	14.5g	12.5	269g	80.4mg	45g
Lima Beans	14.7g	13.2g	216	32mg	39.3g
Mung Beans	14.2g	15.4g	212	54.5mg	38.7g
Fava Beans	12.9g	9.18g	185	61.2mg	33.2g

 

Antinutrients of Legumes:

Lectins- It is a protein. Kidney bean contains this in a high amount. So, we should cook these beans in proper ways.  Imperfect cooking and raw beans may make the lectins toxic.  Other legumes contain a perfect amount of this.

Phytate- We call this antioxidant as phytic acid also. Vegetarian people sometimes face mineral deficiencies. The reason is that they eat lots of phytate foods or legumes. But, meat lovers do not suffer through these problems. Again, we can reduce phytic acid from legumes. Fermentation, soaking, sprouting is popular techniques among them.

Besides, there are some other advantages to eating legumes. They help –

• Reduce high blood pressure
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Reduce the risk of heart problems
• Avoid weight gain.