The health expert shared the unpleasant symptoms associated with the allergy, which can include swelling around the mouth and bloating
While an apple a day is supposed to keep the doctor away, for some it can cause bloating, diarrhoea, and other unpleasant symptoms. “It’s not uncommon for people to find difficulty metabolising fructose – a sugar found in fruits,” explains Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.
He tells the Mirror: “This can impact people in numerous ways with symptoms including bloating, increased flatulence and even diarrhoea.” In some cases, fruit can also cause an allergic reaction.
“While reactions towards certain foods vary from person to person, it is not uncommon to experience a reaction to fruit, including apples,” Dr Grant explains. “This can occur for various reasons.”
He added: “In particular, apples are one of the most common foods that can cause oral allergy syndrome (OAS). This is where food causes an allergic response from the immune system due to the fruit’s proteins being similar to pollen proteins.”
He says: “A whole list of fruits can cause these common reactions, such as allergies or OAS. Firstly, pears, apples, plums and cherries are some of the main causes of OAS, with symptoms including swelling around the lips, mouth and tongue.
“Some of the most common fruits people have allergic reactions to include strawberries, kiwis and avocados. Like most allergies, the body will respond in hives, other symptoms of this allergic response are nausea and anaphylaxis.”
If you struggle to break down fructose, the doctor recommends avoiding fruits such as apples, pears and mangoes due to the high fructose content. Additionally, if you experience diarrhoea, he notes: “Dioralyte Sachets are a useful treatment for anyone suffering from diarrhoea.
“They help replace lost fluids and restore hydration. Helping the body better combat diarrhoea and quickly return to a normal state.”
The GP emphasised the importance of talking to your doctor if you have any concerns. “It’s absolutely ordinary for people to have reactions to any food type, including fruits.
“This intolerance or response can develop at any stage of an individual’s life, making it difficult to understand the root cause of the symptoms. As always, an open discussion with a licensed GP can help people find the next best steps including avoiding these certain foods in the future.”
