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Allergenicity

Buckwheat Allergenicity

These authors summarize background of buckwheat as a potential food allergen, noting that is rare outside of Japan or other Asian countries.  Since it is taxonomically unrelated to wheat, it is suitable for those requiring a gluten-free diet. The most common reactions include angioedema, anaphylaxis, uticaria, asthma/rhinitis, and GI disturbance. Authors also present the first two adult case reports of buckwheat sensitization in the United Kingdom, confirmed by sIgE and skin-prick test and identified upon post-prandial IgE-mediated reactions.

Citations

Sammut D, Dennison P, Venter C, Kurukulaaratchy RJ. Buckwheat allergy: a potential problem in 21st century Britain. BMJ Case Reports. 2011;10.1136/bcr.09.2011.4882.

Due to limited data on prevalence of buckwheat allergy in non-Asian countries, these authors conducted an epidemiological study across 18 Italian allergy clinics.  Of included patients, 61.3% (1198/1954) were atopic and 3.6% (70/1954) had a positive skin-prick test for buckwheat. The authors found differences in mean buckwheat allergy prevalence across regions, with sensitization being more common in northern Italy.

Citations

Badiu I, Olivieri E, Montagni M, et al. Italian study on buckwheat allergy: prevalence and clinical features of buckwheat-sensitized patients in Italy. Int J Immunol Pharmacol. 2013;26(3):801-806.