What Causes Food Allergies?

Food allergies affect millions of people worldwide and can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening reactions. But what actually causes these intense responses to otherwise harmless foods? The answer is complex, involving genetics, immune system misfires, and even gut health.

In this post, we’ll explore the root causes of food allergies, explain why certain people are more vulnerable, and share science-backed insights into prevention and treatment. Whether you’re a parent, patient, or caregiver, understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions about care.

At Empower Allergy Treatment, we’re committed to helping families uncover the why behind food allergies and guiding them toward personalized solutions.

What Is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system reacts abnormally to proteins in certain foods. Unlike food sensitivities or intolerances—like lactose intolerance—true food allergies can cause immediate and potentially severe symptoms.

These reactions are classified into three main types:

• IgE-mediated allergies (most common): Immediate reactions involving the immune antibody Immunoglobulin E.
• Non-IgE-mediated allergies: Slower reactions, often involving the digestive tract or skin.
• Mixed reactions: A combination of IgE and non-IgE responses.

Symptoms range from mild hives to severe anaphylaxis. Understanding which type you or your child has is key to choosing the right Services and Programs for diagnosis and treatment.

The Immune System’s Role

Food allergies are a case of mistaken identity by your immune system. When a food protein is wrongly flagged as dangerous, your body launches an attack—releasing histamines and other chemicals that cause allergic reactions.

In IgE-mediated food allergies, this response happens almost immediately after eating the food. It’s like your body is overreacting to something harmless.

Common symptoms include:

• Swelling
• Hives
• Trouble breathing
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Anaphylaxis (in severe cases)

This overreaction is driven by your immune system trying to protect you, even though there’s no real threat.

Genetic Factors

Genetics play a strong role in the development of food allergies. If one parent has allergies, there’s about a 30–50% chance their child will develop one too. That risk climbs even higher if both parents are allergic.

Twin studies show a significant hereditary link, especially for peanut and tree nut allergies. However, genetics alone don’t explain everything—environmental and lifestyle factors also come into play.

Research in epigenetics—how genes are turned on or off—suggests that early-life exposures may alter how our bodies respond to allergens, even if we’re genetically predisposed.

To learn more about how Empower was founded with this science in mind, check out our About Us page.

Environmental Influences

Our modern, ultra-clean environments might be making us more allergic.

The hygiene hypothesis suggests that limited exposure to microbes in early life may prevent our immune system from developing properly. This makes it more likely to overreact to harmless substances like food proteins.

Additional environmental risk factors include:

• Pollution: Exposure to air pollutants can alter immune responses.
• Cesarean birth: Infants miss out on beneficial bacteria from vaginal delivery.
• Antibiotic overuse: Disrupts gut microbiota early in life.

Together, these factors may explain why food allergies are more common in developed countries than in rural, farming populations.

Gut Health & the Microbiome

Your gut isn’t just for digestion—it’s also home to trillions of microbes that help regulate your immune system.

A healthy gut microbiome teaches your immune system tolerance, helping it recognize which proteins are harmful and which are not.

An imbalance in gut bacteria—called dysbiosis—has been linked to increased food allergy risk. This is especially true in infants who were not breastfed, delivered via C-section, or given antibiotics early.

Boosting gut health through probiotics and diverse diets may support allergy prevention. Research in this area is still emerging but incredibly promising.

Timing of Allergen Exposure

When and how foods are introduced into a child’s diet plays a critical role in allergy development.

Previously, doctors advised parents to delay introducing allergenic foods like peanuts or eggs. But new research shows that early, controlled exposure may actually prevent allergies from developing.

Studies like the LEAP trial found that children introduced to peanuts early had a significantly lower risk of developing peanut allergies.

This shift has inspired new treatment protocols, including Oral Immunotherapy and Sublingual Immunotherapy—two cutting-edge methods used at Empower to desensitize the immune system.

Common Food Allergy Triggers

While any food can cause an allergy, nine foods are responsible for the majority of reactions:

1. Milk
2. Eggs
3. Peanuts
4. Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts)
5. Fish
6. Shellfish
7. Wheat
8. Soy
9. Sesame

These foods are often introduced early in life and are included on ingredient labels under federal food allergen labeling laws.

Cross-reactivity is another issue—people allergic to one food may react to another with similar proteins. For example, people allergic to birch pollen might react to apples.

Risk Factors for Developing Food Allergies

Some people are more likely to develop food allergies due to specific risk factors:

• Family history of allergies, asthma, or eczema
• Existing allergic conditions (like hay fever or eczema)
• Young age (infants and toddlers are more susceptible)
• Ethnic background (some populations show higher allergy rates)
• Geographic region (urban vs rural exposure)

Understanding your risk profile is the first step in developing an effective Avoidance Planning strategy, especially if you're already managing multiple allergic conditions.

Can Food Allergies Be Prevented?

The science of allergy prevention is evolving quickly.

Experts now recommend introducing allergenic foods early—between 4 and 6 months of age—under medical supervision. Breastfeeding, maintaining gut health, and limiting antibiotic overuse may also help.

In some cases, prevention isn’t possible—but desensitization may be. Empower offers advanced treatment options including Xolair (omalizumab), a monoclonal antibody used to reduce allergic reactions during oral food challenges and immunotherapy.

While no method is foolproof, combining early intervention, proper diagnosis, and immunotherapy significantly improves long-term outcomes.

A Path Toward Understanding & Healing

Food allergies are complex and influenced by a mix of genetics, environment, immune response, and gut health. While we can’t always control our biology, we can control how we respond to it—with knowledge, science, and the right treatment plan.

At Empower Allergy Treatment, we believe in taking a comprehensive, personalized approach to allergy care—from diagnosis to desensitization. Whether you're seeking prevention strategies for your child or are ready to explore innovative treatments for yourself, our experts are here to help.

Ready to take control of food allergies? Contact us today and explore our full range of Services and Programs and discover how Empower can support your family’s health journey.