Complaints about food allergies are on the rise these days. They are almost fashionable but as per the new research, a shocking one in five people have understood it incorrectly. Most of them end up reporting a non-existent intolerance to wheat.

The University of Portsmouth conducted several tests but only two percent of those who complained have been found to have a genuine allergy or intolerance. The rest have been going through symptoms related to other undiagnosed condition.

The most misguided of the lot have been women who misunderstood their home testing kits, fad diets and celebrity regimes. The effect of all this has resulted in danger of avoiding ‘safe’ foods which provide vital nutrients.

The lead author at the University or Portsmouth, Dr. Carina Venter, said “There is a clear discrepancy between the number of people who report they have a food allergy or intolerance and the numbers whose food allergy or intolerance can be confirmed by a medical diagnosis. Self-diagnosis and other diagnostic tests not conducted by a qualified medical professional are not reliable.”

People who suffer from food allergies like nuts or wheat are advised to replace the nutrients which they are missing out on.

Symptoms for wheat allergy, which usually begin two hours after consuming wheat products, include hives, itching, gastrointestinal symptoms and wheezing.