Food serves more than a nutritional purpose in our lives. The food we consume plays a fundamental role in our overall well-being. Over the years, medical professionals have spoken up about the link between food and some common medical conditions. Understanding this connection is essential for making informed dietary choices and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Continue reading to learn about the five food-related medical conditions.

Although they might sound the same, "food allergy" and "food intolerance" are very different medical conditions. While they may share some similarities in terms of symptoms, the underlying mechanisms, causes, and treatment approaches differ significantly. Here's everything you need to know about food allergies vs. food intolerances.

Also known as pollen-food syndrome, Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) is a relatively common condition affecting individuals with environmental allergies. Simply put, your immune system considers proteins in certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts as pollen proteins and reacts to them, causing itching, tingling, or swelling of the mouth, lips, and throat. According to reports, 47-70% of people with pollen allergies have Oral Allergy Syndrome, including children under the age of 3. Read on to learn about the triggers, symptoms, treatment, and prevention tips of Oral Allergy Syndrome.

Swollen throat, red eyes, vomiting, and an itchy mouth are indicators of an allergic reaction. While a person can be allergic to several things, such as dust, pollen, animal dander, mold, chemicals, metals, latex, certain medication, and insect stings, food is the most common cause of allergic reactions, affecting 8% of children and 6% of adults in the United States. In fact, over 90% of food allergy reactions are triggered by the consumption of eggs, peanuts, soy, sesame, wheat, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, and cow's milk.

Living with a food allergy can be challenging, especially when it involves a widely consumed and versatile ingredient like milk. Milk allergy is a condition that affects a significant number of individuals worldwide, causing adverse reactions when milk or milk products are consumed. If you find yourself experiencing discomfort or symptoms after consuming milk, you may be one of the many people with a milk allergy.