Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIntolerance vs. AllergyTypes of SugarSymptomsTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Intolerance vs. Allergy
Types of Sugar
Symptoms
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Summary
A true allergy to sugar is possible in theory but extremely rare.Some people experience allergy-like symptoms when consuming sugar. However, it is more likely a sugar intolerance than an allergy.
Sugar intolerance or sensitivity describes difficulty digesting certain types of sugar and does not involve the immune system reaction that happens with an allergy. In some individuals, sugar can cause various symptoms, including digestive issues and migraines. Most people can manage their symptoms with simple dietary changes.
This article discusses sugar intolerance and whether it is possible to be allergic to sugar. It also goes over symptoms and how you can manage a sugar intolerance.
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Although some studies have suggested that sugar allergies are possible, there has been no evidence of sugar-specific IgE in people who have experienced severe allergy-like attacks.
By contrast, food intolerance occurs when you are unable to break down certain foods in your digestive system. This may be due to a few different factors, including enzyme deficiencies or sensitivities to specific chemicals or additives in the food.
Another big difference between an allergic reaction and an intolerance is that a person with the intolerance may be able to consume small bits of a problematic food without a negative response.
Sugar Intolerance vs. Glucose IntoleranceSugar intolerance and glucose intolerance are not the same thing. Sugar intolerance is a dietary intolerance to certain types of sugar. Glucose intolerance refers to metabolic disorders that result in higher-than-normal blood sugar levels.
Sugar Intolerance vs. Glucose Intolerance
Sugar intolerance and glucose intolerance are not the same thing. Sugar intolerance is a dietary intolerance to certain types of sugar. Glucose intolerance refers to metabolic disorders that result in higher-than-normal blood sugar levels.
Differences Between a Food Allergy and an Intolerance
It’s hard to escape sugar—it’s in a lot of the foods that you probably eat on a daily basis, with the obvious being foods like fruit, desserts, sodas, pastries, ice cream, and dairy products. But, you may not be aware that it’s also an ingredient in many other favorite foods like sports drinks, cereals, bottled condiments, salad dressings, and more.
Sugar acts as one type of fuel source for the body’s cells, so it plays a significant role in providing your body with energy. Sugars are carbohydrates, and there are several forms of sugar, including:
Fructose and lactose are among the most common causes of sugar intolerance.
There is evidence that fructans, a carbohydrate composed of chains of fructose, may be the real cause of non-celiacgluten intolerance, given that they are found in high concentration in wheat and rye.
Symptoms of Sugar Allergy or Intolerance
If you have a true sugar allergy, you might experience certain symptoms when you eat sugar, such as:
In severe cases, you could experienceanaphylaxis, a life-threatening response to being exposed to or consuming food. Although not likely to occur with sugar, typical symptoms of anaphylaxis to other foods include:
Seek emergency medical care immediately if you have any symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Although gastrointestinal symptoms like stomach cramps and vomiting may also occur with an allergy, they are more likely to indicate a sugar intolerance rather than a true allergy. Symptoms of sugar intolerance vary widely, but some common ones include:
Other symptoms that have been linked to sugar intolerance include:
Sugar intolerance is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). People with IBS may benefit from alow-FODMAP(fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet, which limits sugars that are easily fermentable in the small intestine.
For example, if you note that each time you put ketchup on a hamburger, you feel ill, that may be a clue that your body’s not tolerating the sugar that’s present in the product.
Another example is with dairy products. If, after you eat ice cream or drink a glass of milk, you experience an onslaught of digestive problems, that may be an indication that you’relactose intolerant.
How to Keep a Food Diary
Foods to Avoid
If you know you have an adverse reaction to sugar but can’t pinpoint a source, you may need to avoid it altogether. Sugar-containing foods include, but aren’t limited to:
If you’re lactose intolerant, you’ll need to avoid dairy products like:
Sugar Substitutes
If you believe you are sensitive to sugar, you may be able to eat sugar substitutes instead. Keep in mind that sugar substitutes are much sweeter than natural sugar, so use them sparingly.
Common sugar substitutes found in diet sodas and other no-sugar products include:
Although the FDA generally considers artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose to be safe, their use is controversial. Some research has linked artificial sweeteners to health effects like weight gain and increased risk of diabetes.
If you are sensitive to lactose, try lactose-free dairy products such as lactose-free milk, yogurt, and ice cream.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you experience unusual symptoms when you eat sugar, consult with a healthcare provider. The treatment for sugar intolerance will depend on the level of severity of your reaction, but your healthcare provider can use a variety of testing measures to confirm a diagnosis.
Also, your healthcare provider may recommend you consult with a nutritionist to create a healthy diet plan around any limitations you may have.
True sugar allergies are rare. If you do have an allergy to sugar, you may experience symptoms like hives and an itching sensation in your mouth.
Most people who react to sugar have an intolerance. An intolerance can cause uncomfortable symptoms like stomach upset, diarrhea, and headaches. If you experience any of these symptoms after eating sugar, you may need to limit or exclude sugar from your diet. See a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis, and talk to a nutritionist about how to make changes in your diet.
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Living With Food Allergies
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergy/intolerance to sugar.Jung CG, Yang EM, Lee JH, Kim SH, Park HS, Shin YS.Coca-Cola allergy identified as fructose-induced anaphylaxis.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2018;6:1787-9. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2018.02.003Fernández-Bañares F.Carbohydrate maldigestion and intolerance.Nutrients. 2022;14(9):1923. doi:10.3390/nu14091923Skodje GI, Sarna VK, Minelle IH, et al.Fructan, rather than gluten, induces symptoms in patients with self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity.Gastroenterology. 2018;154(3):529-39. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.10.040Debras C, Deschasaux-Tanguy M, Chazelas E, et al.Artificial sweeteners and risk of type 2 diabetes in the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort.Diabetes Care. 2023;46(9):1681-1690. doi:10.2337/dc23-0206
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergy/intolerance to sugar.Jung CG, Yang EM, Lee JH, Kim SH, Park HS, Shin YS.Coca-Cola allergy identified as fructose-induced anaphylaxis.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2018;6:1787-9. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2018.02.003Fernández-Bañares F.Carbohydrate maldigestion and intolerance.Nutrients. 2022;14(9):1923. doi:10.3390/nu14091923Skodje GI, Sarna VK, Minelle IH, et al.Fructan, rather than gluten, induces symptoms in patients with self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity.Gastroenterology. 2018;154(3):529-39. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.10.040Debras C, Deschasaux-Tanguy M, Chazelas E, et al.Artificial sweeteners and risk of type 2 diabetes in the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort.Diabetes Care. 2023;46(9):1681-1690. doi:10.2337/dc23-0206
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergy/intolerance to sugar.Jung CG, Yang EM, Lee JH, Kim SH, Park HS, Shin YS.Coca-Cola allergy identified as fructose-induced anaphylaxis.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2018;6:1787-9. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2018.02.003Fernández-Bañares F.Carbohydrate maldigestion and intolerance.Nutrients. 2022;14(9):1923. doi:10.3390/nu14091923Skodje GI, Sarna VK, Minelle IH, et al.Fructan, rather than gluten, induces symptoms in patients with self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity.Gastroenterology. 2018;154(3):529-39. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.10.040Debras C, Deschasaux-Tanguy M, Chazelas E, et al.Artificial sweeteners and risk of type 2 diabetes in the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort.Diabetes Care. 2023;46(9):1681-1690. doi:10.2337/dc23-0206
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergy/intolerance to sugar.
Jung CG, Yang EM, Lee JH, Kim SH, Park HS, Shin YS.Coca-Cola allergy identified as fructose-induced anaphylaxis.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2018;6:1787-9. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2018.02.003
Fernández-Bañares F.Carbohydrate maldigestion and intolerance.Nutrients. 2022;14(9):1923. doi:10.3390/nu14091923
Skodje GI, Sarna VK, Minelle IH, et al.Fructan, rather than gluten, induces symptoms in patients with self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity.Gastroenterology. 2018;154(3):529-39. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.10.040
Debras C, Deschasaux-Tanguy M, Chazelas E, et al.Artificial sweeteners and risk of type 2 diabetes in the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort.Diabetes Care. 2023;46(9):1681-1690. doi:10.2337/dc23-0206
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