Food Allergies Are More Common in Women

Researchers in Spain set out to measure exactly how much food allergy affects quality of life and who is affected the most. Their findings, drawn from over 500 patients across 19 medical centers, confirm what a lot of allergy sufferers have long suspected: the burden isn’t evenly distributed. Women carry more of it, and the more allergies someone has, the heavier that load becomes.

Poor quality of life due to allergies was two and a half times more common in women than in men.

The Study

The research team wanted to understand which factors best predict a poor quality of life for someone living with a diagnosed food allergy. To do this, they turned to a well-established tool called the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (FAQLQ). It’s a validated survey that asks people to rate how much their allergy interferes with everyday things: eating out, socializing, managing anxiety around accidental exposure, and more.

How the research was done:

• 502 patients with confirmed IgE-mediated food allergy, across 19 centers in Spain were assessed
• the median age of participants  was 31.1 years old. 63.9% were women
• 86% of participants were adults; the rest were children (8–12) and teens (13–17)
• 1–7 scale used by the questionnaire, where 7 means the allergy severely disrupts daily life

Across the whole group, the median score was 4.55 out of 7. For most people in this study, food allergy was doing more than causing occasional inconvenience. It was meaningfully affecting how they lived.

Nearly 1 in 2 women in the study reported poor food-allergy-related quality of life, compared with roughly 1 in 5 men.

Women are more susceptible to allergies as well as autoimmune disease

Approximately three quarters of patients with autoimmune disease are women. Researchers have known for a long time that hormones play a big role, but have recently found that genes are involved too. Regarding hormones, women are at higher risk of developing an autoimmune disease following childbirth. Some autoimmune diseases fluctuate in intensity throughout the month, depending on the phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle. They tend to be worse in the week leading up to a period. Some autoimmune diseases and allergies go into remission during pregnancy, while others intensify markedly.

Women with allergies or autoimmune disease commonly experience an aggravation or flare in the second half of their menstrual cycle if they are not producing adequate progesterone. This is because progesterone has wonderful anti-inflammatory effects. This can be ameliorated well with the use of a natural bio-identical progesterone cream. You can also support progesterone production by ensuring your diet contains sufficient vitamins and minerals and healthy fats (since progesterone is mostly made of fat).

Regarding genes, a recent study published in the journal Nature Immunology showed specific gene expression differences between males and females that are associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disease and allergies. The researchers from the University of Michigan identified 661 genes that are expressed differently between the genders. Many of these genes are involved in immune function and inflammation, and are seen in autoimmune disease.

While it is possible to balance your hormones, it’s not possible to change your genes. Fortunately there are still so many ways to treat allergies and autoimmune disease and reduce inflammation in the body. It is critical to heal leaky gut, eliminate gluten and other foods that inflame the gut. Correcting nutrient deficiencies and improving liver health are also vital for everyone with autoimmune disease.

When the intestinal lining is excessively permeable, gut waste products can make their way into the bloodstream. First they head to the liver and then spill out into the general circulation. This places an enormous strain on the immune system. Over time, and individual can develop food sensitivities. If autoimmune disease runs in their family, they may develop an autoimmune condition. Glutamine and slippery elm are two ingredients found in Ultimate Gut Health powder. They help to heal and repair a leaky gut.

Almost all people with allergies and autoimmune disease have an overgrowth of bad bacteria and yeast in their gut. This can inflame the gut and cause foggy brain, low mood and intense sugar cravings. BactoClear capsules are a herbal disinfectant for the gut, helping to kill off microbial overgrowth.

For more information see our book Healing Autoimmune Disease: A plan to help your immune system and reduce inflammation.

Source: Fernández-Rivas M, et al. Study on determinants of food allergy-related quality of life, corresponding author affiliated with Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IDISSC, Madrid, Spain. Published online 19 June 2026 in Allergy.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.