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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose any conditions. LifeDNA does not provide diagnostic services for any conditions mentioned in this or any other article.
Mushrooms are often praised for their health benefits such as their loaded nutrients and antioxidants, but for some, they can trigger unpleasant reactions. Mushroom intolerance may cause digestive distress, headaches, or skin irritation, while airborne spores may trigger allergy-like symptoms.Â
Many people dismiss their discomfort as a random sensitivity, but understanding the science behind mushroom intolerance may help take control of the symptoms and feel better. Identifying whether the symptoms are due to an allergy, intolerance, or another underlying condition is key to managing one’s well-being.
Mushroom intolerance happens when the body has trouble digesting mushrooms. This means that after eating them, a person might feel bloated, have a stomachache, feel sick or nauseous, or even get diarrhea. Unlike a mushroom allergy, which is caused by the immune system overreacting, intolerance is just a problem with digestion. Some people might only feel a little uncomfortable, while others may have stronger reactions. This can happen because the body has trouble breaking down certain components in the mushroom, such as itsnatural sugars (polyols) or proteins. The more mushrooms an affected person eats, the worse the symptoms might be.
Genetics may play a role in mushroom intolerance. If a parent or family member has trouble eating certain foods, their children might have the same problem. Scientists are still studying this, but many food intolerances seem to run in families.
Mushroom intolerance happens when the body has trouble digesting mushrooms. One reason is that some people don’t have the right enzymes to break them down. Enzymes are special helpers in the body that break food into smaller parts. When lacking certain enzymes, mushrooms may cause stomach pain, bloating, or nausea.
Mushrooms have special kinds of carbohydrates that are hard to digest. These may cause gas and discomfort in some people. Since mushrooms are not plants but fungi, they can be harder for the body to handle. Some mushrooms also have a substance called histamine. If a person’s body is sensitive to histamine, eating mushrooms might cause headaches, skin redness, or stomach problems.
Mushroom allergy and mushroom intolerance are not the same. Mushroom intolerance is a digestive issue that can cause bloating, stomach pain, and nausea, but it does not involve the immune system. On the other hand, a mushroom allergy happens when the immune system overreacts, leading to symptoms like hives, trouble breathing, or, in severe cases, a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Another key difference is the timing of symptoms. Allergic reactions usually happen soon after eating or touching mushrooms, while intolerance symptoms may take longer to appear.
Scientists have found that some people may have trouble digesting mushrooms because of their genetic make-up. A study in the British Journal of Nutrition looked at people with Crohn’s disease, a condition that causes stomach pain and inflammation. Researchers found that two foods, corn and mushrooms were common triggers for digestive issues. While corn is already known to cause problems for some, the reaction to mushrooms was linked to a specific gene called OCTN1 (now called SLC22A4).
This gene helps the body absorb ergothioneine, a compound found in high amounts in mushrooms. People with a certain version of the OCTN1 gene absorb too much ergothioneine, about 50% more than usual. This overload may upset the body’s balance, leading to inflammation and digestive discomfort.
Even though this gene variant is linked to Crohn’s disease, it does not mean everyone with it will develop mushroom intolerance. However, people with this gene change are more likely to feel sick after eating mushrooms. Scientists think that genetic testing could help identify people who might benefit from personalized food plans to avoid various digestive issues.
Mushroom intolerance happens when the body has trouble digesting mushrooms, leading to various symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually appear a few hours after eating mushrooms. Here are the typical symptoms and why they occur:
There are no direct lab tests for mushroom intolerance, but doctors rely on different methods to identify the issue. Here’s how it’s typically diagnosed:
The most effective way to manage mushroom intolerance is to avoid eating mushrooms and foods that contain them. Here are some strategies to help:
While some actual food allergies can get better over time, mushroom intolerance usually does not go away. This is because intolerance is linked to how well your body digests mushrooms, and that doesn’t always change. However, some people notice that their symptoms get better when they make changes to their diet or take digestive enzyme supplements. These changes may help their body handle mushrooms a little better, but it doesn’t mean the intolerance is completely gone.
Yes, some people can eat mushrooms for years without any problems and then suddenly start feeling sick after eating them. This can happen if their digestion changes, such as from aging, illness, or gut health issues. The body might stop making enough of the enzymes needed to break down mushrooms properly, leading to symptoms like bloating, stomach pain, or nausea.
Not always. Some people find that they can eat certain types of mushrooms without problems but react badly to others. This happens because different mushroom species have slightly different compounds in them. Some mushrooms might be easier for the body to digest, while others contain more of the compounds that trigger discomfort. It’s important to pay attention to which types cause symptoms and avoid those.
Cooking mushrooms can sometimes make them easier to digest. Heat breaks down some of the tough compounds in mushrooms, which might help reduce symptoms like bloating or stomach pain. However, cooking doesn’t remove everything that causes intolerance. Some people still experience discomfort even after eating well-cooked mushrooms, so it’s not a guaranteed fix.
A mushroom allergy and a mushroom intolerance are very different. An allergy happens when the immune system overreacts, which can cause serious symptoms like hives, swelling, or trouble breathing. This type of reaction can be dangerous and sometimes even life-threatening. Intolerance, on the other hand, is a problem with digestion. It doesn’t involve the immune system, and symptoms are usually limited to the stomach and intestines, like gas, bloating, and nausea.
If you have mushroom intolerance, you should avoid eating fresh mushrooms, but that’s not all. Some packaged foods, sauces, and seasonings contain mushroom extracts or powders, which can also cause symptoms. Foods like soups, gravies, and some meat substitutes may have hidden mushroom ingredients. Always check food labels carefully to make sure you’re not accidentally eating something that could make you feel sick.
