In this video, we look at a research article that investigates if there is a connection between people with aspirin sensitivity and high salicylate food reactions. 44% of patients screened who have had hives or asthma from aspirin reaction also declare sensitivity to foods high in natural salicylates (natural aspirin compounds). Symptoms manifest as respiratory issues, urticaria (hives and skin issues), Oral Allergy Syndrome, throat swelling, flushing, and general feeling of being unwell. Many patients reacted to more than just one food. My video breaks down the data and I even made charts for you!

Article: George, R et al. Frequency of reactions to foods containing natural salicylates in aspirin sensitive patients. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2000; 105(1):S135. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0091-6749(00)90837-6. Read conference summary: https://www.jacionline.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0091-6749%2800%2990837-6.

Patients were selected to participate based on them having an aspirin reaction and asthma or urticaria in the same event. Then the 34 selected participants were asked if they've had reactions to a list of high salicylate fruits. After the questionnaire, they were divided into six groups based on their symptoms: Respiratory, Urticaria, Throat Swelling, Oral Allergy Syndrome, Flushing or ill-feeling, and Asymptomatic. 15 out of 34 patients had food reactions.

The next few charts show which groups reacted to which foods. These are not limited to one reaction per person. Many people reacted to two or more foods.

The respiratory group had five people with reactions to apricots, cherries, grapes/raisins, oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes.

The second group, with an urticaria response, had 2 patients react to oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes. The third group had mouth swelling to almonds (3 people).

The fourth group, Oral Allergy Syndrome, had three people several reactions including foods like oranges, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, pickles, and tomatoes. The last symptomatic group, with flushing or generally ill-feeling, had two people reacted to apricots and tomatoes

Here is a summary of all the food reactions by symptoms. Again, there were 15 people showing on this table, so many reactions per person.

Other notes to consider is that this was a phone survey, patient-driven data with a small sample size. It was completed as a feasibility study to launch a more robust and thorough clinical study in the future.