What describes food allergies?

Food allergies are characterized as an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly identifies as a harmful substance. When a person with a food allergy consumes the offending food, their immune system reacts by releasing chemicals such as histamines, leading to a variety of symptoms that can range from mild to severe. This misidentification can cause reactions like hives, swelling, gastrointestinal distress, and in some cases, life-threatening anaphylaxis.

This understanding distinguishes food allergies from other types of food-related issues. For example, a mild reaction to food could describe food intolerances or sensitivities, which do not involve the immune system in the same way. Similarly, emotional responses to eating, such as comfort eating, or digestive issues caused by certain foods, do not involve an immune response and are not classified as food allergies. Therefore, the most accurate description of food allergies involves the immune system's inappropriate reaction to specific foods.