Do you think you might have a food intolerance? It’s easy to push symptoms aside without getting them checked.

Some symptoms are lesser known, according to a dietary expert, so you might not even associate them with a possible food intolerance.

Food intolerances are different to allergies with symptoms taking up to 72 hours to appear. They can also vary from person to person, making them tricky to identify.

Why do food intolerances exist?

Ritika Sharma, nutritionist at food intolerance testing firm Supply Life, explained: “They occur when your body struggles to digest certain foods. This can cause larger protein particles to enter the bloodstream, which the immune system sees as a threat and produces antibodies to ‘attack’ them.

“The side effect of this is inflammation which, over time, triggers symptoms. These can then develop and manifest in a number of ways.”

5 signs you might have a food intolerance

Tiredness and fatigue

While the main cause of tiredness is a lack of or poor-quality sleep, food sensitivities can also have a huge impact on energy levels.

Ritika said: “Many people associate food intolerances with digestive issues such as bloating and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

“But fatigue and low energy are also symptoms, and these are things millions of people suffer with in the UK.”

Skin conditions

Ritika explains that skin-related complaints can be a key sign for someone who has a food intolerance.

She said: “Prolonged bouts of itchy skin without an obvious cause would indicate an issue and it could be a good idea to look at your diet.

“Those who suffer with eczema can often be ‘atopic’ - they have an overactive immune system. This can cause skin to become inflamed.

“So, if there is something you’re eating that’s causing inflammation, this could impact your skin.

“A food intolerance test could potentially highlight any problematic food or drink and help manage any flare-ups.”

Migraines

Migraines are often experienced alongside other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, light sensitivity, vertigo and irritability.

Ritika explained: “A food intolerance is a common trigger for headaches and migraines.

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“That’s because if the body detects a food it doesn't like, it will often release IgG antibodies - also known as Immunoglobulin G, which help prevent and fight infections - into the bloodstream which are renowned for causing headaches.”

Joint pain

If you have general aches and pains that can’t be explained by an underlying health condition, Ritika recommends looking at what you eat.

“If you experience general joint pain it might be worth considering what part your diet has to play because a food intolerance could be contributing to these problems,” she said.

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The Arthritis Association says that ingredients such as sugar, saturated fats and trans fats which are found in pizza and cheese can cause inflammation.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) symptoms

IBS symptoms can include abdominal pains, excess wind, bloating and constipation. It can be triggered by certain foods which irritate the digestive system and can also be a symptom of food intolerance.

Ritika said: “Studies have found that IBS is linked to a hypersensitive gut and many people find relief through eliminating certain foods from their diet.”