Not only can nutritious foods and drinks nurture our body, but they can also enhance our health.  And for athletes, scientific diets can even upgrade their athletic abilities and performance.  However, some seemingly nutritious foods and drinks such as eggs, milk, peanuts, sesame, beans and wheat, can actually cause different levels of allergic reactions in some people. And when it comes to athletes, these reactions can seriously hamper their performance.

Food allergy normally has to do with an over-active immune system. For those people with this type of body make-up, their immune system will mistake harmless substances for invaders and thereby produce antibody (IgE).  And food allergies often occur in infants and young children. Symptoms of mild food allergies include rashes, puffiness in the face, vomiting; more serious cases may cause symptoms like swelling in the throats, difficulties in breathing, and coma which can eventually lead to death. If athletes suspect that they may be allergic to certain foods, they should consult doctors specializing in food allergies so that they can identify the allergens of their allergic reactions.  When athletes inadvertently take in allergens and show mild allergic reactions, they can use doctor-prescribed medicines such as antihistamines to help relieve symptoms.   Those athletes with food allergies should also voluntarily notify their coaches regarding their allergic conditions and coaches should understand thoroughly the facts about food allergies, so that they can identify and even handle a food allergy situation when it arises.

If athletes with food allergies have to go overseas for competitions or training, they should first consult their doctor and nutritionist before going abroad, as well as know in advance the local food culture in order to minimize the risks of taking in any food allergens overseas.  Knowing how to read food labels can also effectively help athletes spot food allergens.  Common food allergens found in sports diets include:

- Sports drinks: fruit sugars, artificial flavors, artificial colors, proteins from beans

- Sports jelly: fruit sugars, artificial flavors, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, chamomile, ginger

- Energy bars: fruit sugars, gluten, wheat, malt, artificial flavors, cocoa, non-fat dried milk, nuts, oatmeal

For any enquires, please call and talk to doctors or nutritionists at the Sports Medicine Centre at 28810896.