Has Alcohol Use Caused My Food Sensitivities?

Have you developed food sensitivities or allergies as an adult and aren’t sure why?

Many of my clients report new reactions to foods they’ve never had issues with before. From bloating and digestive problems to skin irritations and headaches, these symptoms often come as a surprise.

While alcohol may not always be the direct cause, it can play a significant role in food sensitivities. Let’s explore how alcohol use may contribute to food reactions and how you can heal your gut to reduce immune system responses to certain foods.

Why Do Food Sensitivities Develop?

If you’ve heard of “leaky gut,” you may already be familiar with how it can lead to food sensitivities. Alcohol has a significant impact on gut health, which can set the stage for these reactions.

Research shows that alcohol disrupts the balance of our gut microbiome, depleting beneficial bacteria and promoting gut inflammation. This disruption can lead to a condition known as intestinal permeability (commonly referred to as “leaky gut”), where the gut lining becomes more porous, allowing undigested food particles and toxins to pass into the bloodstream. When this happens, the immune system kicks in, often leading to food sensitivities or even allergies.

Many of my clients are surprised when their food allergy tests reveal sensitivities to foods they eat regularly—like almonds, dairy, gluten, and certain vegetables. The good news is that these sensitivities can often be reversed once gut health is restored. 

Steps to Heal Your Gut and Manage Food Sensitivities

1. Minimize Gut Stressors:

   To heal the gut, it’s crucial to reduce stressors that damage the gut lining. Alcohol is one of the biggest culprits and should be minimized or eliminated. Other gut stressors include anti-inflammatory medications (like aspirin, ibuprofen, or Advil), steroid medications, high-sugar or high-carb diets, and environmental toxins., and Advil), steroid medications, a high-sugar or high-carb diet, and even environmental toxins.

2. Incorporate Probiotics:

   Maintaining a healthy balance of gut bacteria is key to reducing immune responses and inflammation. Incorporate probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickled vegetables, or consider a probiotic supplement. Check out my recommended probiotic and prebiotic combination supplement [here].

3. Eliminate Food Stressors Until the Gut Heals:

   Certain foods may need to be temporarily eliminated until the gut heals. A food sensitivity test (like an IgG test) or an elimination diet can help identify the foods triggering inflammation. Once your gut has healed, you may be able to reintroduce these foods without issue.