my girlfriend gets a stomach ache (almost) every time she eats avocado. i cannot relate. she claims it started two years ago - i blame grad school.

has anyone experienced this? or have any idea what the cause is?

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Some people have a violent allergic reaction to it.

The lesser allergic reaction is to feel like someone has repeatedly kicked you in the belly. It's the intestines reacting to the allergen.

Also, avocados are high in fat, for a plant, so it might be that.

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Alpharetta, GA (Atlanta suburb)

yes, it's called a food allergy.

I hate avacados, my wife loves them. When we started dating, her lips would swell when eating guacamole. Years later, her mouth started itching while eating. Since last year, she stopped, since she could feel her throat swelling and constricting.

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San Antonio, TX (in the old city)

"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing."
-- Edmund Burke
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Theodore Roosevelt (1918)




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2012 10:27PM by Rolando.

It surprises me more people aren't allergic to it. It's a weird-ass fruit.

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That's a lot of pesto.

Quote
mattkime
my girlfriend gets a stomach ache (almost) every time she eats avocado. i cannot relate. she claims it started two years ago - i blame grad school.

has anyone experienced this? or have any idea what the cause is?

Swallowing the pit whole may cause some distress...

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- Jack D.




New tasteless sig coming soon!

Quote
Jack D.

Quote
mattkime
my girlfriend gets a stomach ache (almost) every time she eats avocado. i cannot relate. she claims it started two years ago - i blame grad school.

has anyone experienced this? or have any idea what the cause is?

Swallowing the pit whole may cause some distress...

That's a given.

The pit is poison to most animals.

[en.wikipedia.org]

Quote

Some people have allergic reactions to avocado. There are two main forms of allergy: those with a tree-pollen allergy develop local symptoms in the mouth and throat shortly after eating avocado; the second, known as latex-fruit syndrome,[37] is related to latex allergy[38] and symptoms include generalised urticaria, abdominal pain, and vomiting and can sometimes be life-threatening.[39]

I guess this means there's more for me!

she doesn't have a latex allery, and the reaction is relatively mild and is limited to stomach discomfort. she says she also has trouble with bananas

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The allergy is related to a latex allergy, not necessarily linked to the point that a person would have both. At this point the reaction to both avocados and bananas sounds like it is at the level of an intolerance. It may never get worse, or it might develop into an allergic reaction years down the road. Just one fact to keep in mind in case it ever does happen. It does mean she is at slightly higher risk of developing a latex allergy as well, but she might never have that happen either.

Matt,

Could be an allergy. Could be the result of the high fat content and high fiber content the possibility that her body doesn't handle it well. Could be a slew of things. Testing by the appropriate doctor will confirm.

BTW, if it is an allergy, it may not be related at all to latex. It could be related to tree pollen aka Oral Allergy Syndrome. The fruit triggers the pollen allergy and reaction. Again, testing is key.

Robert



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/04/2012 09:01AM by Robert M.

Many people have oral allergy syndrome. I often breifly get an itchy throat after eating certain foods. It's related to pollen allergies, as has already been said. It's never been bad enough to keep me from eating the foods I really like, though...certainly not as bad as your girlfriend's reaction. Just a mild annoyance for me.

Alder pollen: almonds, apples, celery, cherries, hazel nuts, peaches, pears, parsley, strawberry, raspberry
Birch pollen: almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas,[11] carrots, celery, cherries, chicory,[12] coriander, fennel, fig,[13] hazel nuts, kiwifruit, nectarines, parsley, parsnips, peaches, pears, peppers, plums, potatoes, prunes, soy, strawberries, wheat; Potential: walnuts
Grass pollen: fig,[13] melons, tomatoes, oranges
Mugwort pollen : carrots, celery, coriander, fennel, parsley, peppers, sunflower
Ragweed pollen : banana, cantaloupe, cucumber, green pepper, paprika, sunflower seeds/oil, honeydew, watermelon, zucchini, echinacea, artichoke, dandelions, honey (if bees pollinate from wild flowers), hibiscus or chamomile tea
Possible cross-reactions (to any of the above): berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc), citrus (oranges, lemons, etc), grapes, mango, figs, peanut, pineapple, pomegranates, watermelon
[edit]

[en.wikipedia.org]

Edit: Just saw that Robert M posted about it as well. Anyway, there's a list and a link for you.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/04/2012 09:56AM by BernDog.

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mattkime
she doesn't have a latex allery, and the reaction is relatively mild and is limited to stomach discomfort. she says she also has trouble with bananas

My son is allergic to bananas also. Has pollen allergies and takes claritin for it. He gets hives from bananas so he doesnt eat them anymore.