The most common food allergies are well documented in scientific and medical literature. In America, approximately 90 percent of known food allergies are caused by just eight groups of foods. However, a small number of individuals sometimes react to foods not otherwise established to be allergens, such as bok choy. These allergies can be more difficult to diagnose.
Food Allergies
A true food allergy is caused by a malfunction of your body's immune system. When you come into contact with a trigger food, or allergen, your body mistakenly identifies a protein in that food as a threat to your health. Your immune system's overreaction to this otherwise harmless protein causes a number of problems, ranging from rashes and asthma attacks to potentially deadly anaphylactic shock. An allergic reaction creates antibodies that remain in your system, providing doctors with a very specific diagnostic tool to confirm your allergy.
Other Food Reactions
Fortunately, true food allergies are relatively rare. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that less than 4 percent of children, and fewer adults, have food allergies. However, there are other adverse reactions to food that can also cause discomfort , such a food sensitivity. Sensitivities, such as lactose intolerance, can be very uncomfortable and produce symptoms similar to many allergies. However, they do not involve the immune system and won't produce anaphylactic shock. Another type of reaction is called Oral Allergy Syndrome, which produces hay fever symptoms after eating raw or undercooked produce.
Bok Choy Allergy
Allergies to bok choy may be possible, though little research has been done. There is no mention of bok choy as a potential allergen on the websites of the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration or the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases. However, bok choy is part of the mustard or brassica family, and other brassicas, including cabbage and broccoli, have been known to cause allergic reactions either in the field or in controlled laboratory testing.
Possible Bok Choy Reactions
If you have had an adverse reaction from eating bok choy, you should see a doctor for testing. You may have a rare allergy, which is important information. If you suffer from hay fever, especially from birch or ragweed pollen, you may be experiencing Oral Allergy Syndrome. Some agricultural chemicals are known to cause reactions in sensitive individuals, so you might be reacting to a herbicide or pesticide. If you ate the bok choy as part of a larger meal, you might also be allergic to a more common allergen, such as sesame or soy, that is used in Asian cooking.
References
- World Allergy Organization Journal; Human Sensitization to Different Species of Brassica (Mustard) Pollen in India; Anand Singh, et al.; November 2007
- Allergy Net: Brassicas
- National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Oral Allergy Syndrome
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Food Allergy Among U.S. Children -- Trends in Prevalence and Hospitalizations
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