Peanut Allergy: A Growing Concern in Western Diets

Peanut allergy is a highly risky food allergy that can cause severe symptoms. Peanuts are commonly found in many foods such as chocolate bars, sour snacks, and spreads. People with peanut allergies should carefully examine the ingredient list on any food packaging before consuming it, as even a small bite can trigger severe reactions in the allergy sufferers.

The peanut - not actually a nut.

Even though the word "nut" is used in its name, the peanut is actually a type of legume and differs a lot from tree nuts. Peanuts are edible seeds that grow inside pods, just like soybeans and lentils. Originally from South America, peanuts are now a vital part of food production in the Western world. They are also becoming increasingly essential as a renewable raw material in the chemical industry.

Doctors and pharmacists are observing this trend with concern. Just two decades ago, peanut allergies were rare in Germany and Austria, but today this form of allergy is one of the most common food allergies. In the USA, around 1% of the population is affected, in Austria the figures are somewhat lower.

Even the smallest amounts can trigger a range of reactions in peanut allergy sufferers - from skin irritation and facial swelling to gastrointestinal complaints. In extreme cases, life-threatening conditions such as shortness of breath and shock can occur. Avoiding peanuts completely seems to be the only protection, but even a meticulous diet cannot always protect against hidden traces of peanuts in food. Unintentional contact with peanuts therefore remains a constant risk. A curative treatment option would significantly improve the well-being of those affected and avert emergencies - a goal that is currently still at the research stage.

Scientists are continuously working to deepen the understanding of peanut allergy and explore new treatment options. Previous studies suggest that the timely introduction of peanut products in early childhood could have a preventive effect (Du Toit et al., 2008; Abrams et al., 2020), although such a measure should always be taken under medical supervision. Other research projects focus on the development of innovative drugs, such as the current PROTECT study, which is testing a drug that could potentially protect against peanut allergy. Both people with peanut allergy and those not affected are invited to take part in this study. If you are interested, you can obtain further information via the link provided.

If you are interested in studies on allergies and nutrition, we invite you to take a look at our study webpage. For studies in the US, please click here.

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Du Toit, G., Katz, Y., Sasieni, P., Mesher, D., Maleki, S. J., Fisher, H. R., ... & Lack, G. (2008). Early consumption of peanuts in infancy is associated with a low prevalence of peanut allergy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 122(5), 984-991.

Abrams, E. M., Chan, E. S. & Sicherer, S. H. (2020). Peanut allergy: new advances and ongoing controversies. Pediatrics, 145(5). 

Burks, A. W. (2008). Peanut allergy. The Lancet, 371(9623), 1538–1546.