Hold your junk foods at bay, children, because researchers from the University of Naples have discovered that junk foods are linked to food allergies. The study observed children aged 6-12 and separated them into three groups: those with (a) food allergies, (b) respiratory allergies, and (c) healthy controls. The study found the following:
"..a significant correlation between subcutaneous levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and junk food consumption,
“ that children with food allergies presented with higher levels of subcutaneous levels of AGEs than those children with respiratory allergies or no allergies at all.
“ the research team found compelling evidence relating to the mechanism of action elicited by AGEs in determining food allergy. "
The article further explains what AGEs are, following the mention of it from the results of the study:
AGEs are proteins or lipids that become glycated after exposure to sugars and are present at high levels in junk foods - deriving from sugars, processed foods, microwaved foods and roasted or barbequed meats.
Having established a correlation between AGEs and junk food consumption, and how children with food allergies have higher levels of AGEs than the rest of the groups observed - do you think that there’s a chance that eating your favourite amount of junk food would give you a food allergy?
Image: Bill Branson/National Cancer Institute/Wikimedia
