Salicylates, found in most foods, can cause physical and mental symptoms in those with an intolerance. Symptoms include cold-like symptoms, skin issues, and mood swings. Foods high in salicylates include berries, peppers, and herbs. It is not an allergy and can have a cumulative effect. Eliminating high salicylate foods from the diet can help alleviate symptoms.
Almost all foods contain salicylate, a substance that acts as a natural preservative and insecticide. Most people are unaffected by salicylates in foods, but some people do have a sensitivity to salicylates. It is not a food allergy but rather a food intolerance which can be responsible for a wide range of physical and mental symptoms. The resulting physical problems, which can affect the whole body, resemble a cold or the flu. Mental problems resulting from salicylates in foods often alternate between hyperactivity and fatigue, which can affect both mood and cognition.
The physical symptoms of an intolerance to salicylates in food can be found throughout the body. Symptoms above the neck can range from facial swelling to ear infections and mouth sores. A sufferer may also exhibit cold or flu-like symptoms, such as headache, sinusitis, rhinitis, cough, and wheezing. The skin may show discoloration, a rash, or hives, and the person may also experience stomach pain or irritation and swelling in the extremities.
Salicylates in food also affect the central nervous system by both activating and inhibiting the brain. This causes cycles of excessive energy and increased sluggishness. Other mental symptoms include distractibility, anxiety, restlessness, nervousness, mood swings, irritability, memory loss, depression, poor self-image, and sleep problems. Some patients with salicylate intolerance are misdiagnosed as having attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Typical foods that contain salicylates include fruits, especially berries, and vegetables, especially peppers and tomatoes. Levels of salicylates are highest under the skin of foods; the levels decrease as the food matures and drop even lower during cooking. Other foods high in salicylates include almonds, chewing gum, jam, and cured meats. Very high levels of salicylates are found in most herbs and seasonings, including black pepper, chili powder, curry powder, honey, mint, olive oil and vinegar. In terms of drinks, there are high levels of tea, champagne, wine and rum.
Many people mistakenly refer to a salicylate intolerance as a salicylate allergy. Allergic reactions occur rapidly and can be triggered by the slightest exposure to an allergen, while an intolerance reaction to salicylates in foods can occur up to two days after contact and have a cumulative effect. People with such a sensitivity may not react to small amounts of salicylates, but will react when they have cumulatively consumed large amounts of the substance. People with asthma and the elderly are more susceptible to salicylate sensitivity. People who suspect they have a salicylate intolerance can see if their symptoms decrease by eliminating those foods with high levels of salicylates from their diet.
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