both the bean and the susceptibility are
relatively rare. Two other problems are more
common.
Seeds are Common
Food Allergens
True food allergies are overreactions of the
body’s immune system, which mistakes a
food component as a sign of invasion by a
bacterium or virus and initiates a defense that
damages the body. The damage may be mild
and manifest itself as discomfort, itchiness, or
a rash, or it may be a life-threatening asthma
or change in blood pressure or heart rhythm.
It’s estimated that about 2% of adults in the
United States have one or more food allergies,
and up to 8% of young children. Allergic
reactions to food cause around 200 deaths per
year in the United States. Peanuts, soybeans,
and tree nuts are among the most common
food allergens. The offending components are