In this episode:

Are allergies are the rise? Or are we just more aware of their presence? There are many signs that point to outside factors that contribute to an increase in allergies, such as what foods infants are exposed to, antibiotics, and the western diet. This podcast delves into the history of allergies, and where the term "allergy" originates. Food allergies are the second epidemic of allergic reaction, with the first being hay fever and asthma. It is good to be aware of how allergies affect us, and how they have changed throughout the years.

Outline:

Main Point #1: Are food allergies on the rise throughout the world? Or are we just more aware of them?

Main Point #2: What is the history of allergies?

Main Point #3: There are several reasons that people may be more susceptible to allergies than ever before.

Main Point #4: There are eight major foods that have been identified by the FDA as the top allergens.

Sources:

BBC - Why food allergies are on the rise

BBC - Why the world is becoming more allergic to food

CNBC - Allergies are on the rise, and here are three reasons why

FDA - Food Allergies

National Geographic - A brief history of allergies

The Guardian - Allergies: The Scourge of Modern Life?

Audio Transcript:

Have you ever wondered why it seems as if more and more people have food sensitivities and allergies than ever before? If allergies are genetic, why are they more common when the DNA has not changed? My name is Emerson Courtney, and let’s talk about it. Are food allergies on the rise throughout the world? Or are we just more aware of them? The Guardian notes that anyone from Generation X or older may feel like there are so many more food allergies now than when they were young.  According to BBC, "The rate of food allergies worldwide has increased from around 3% of the population in 1960 to around 7% in 2018."  In the UK, about five to eight percent of children and one to two percent of adults are affected by food allergies.  Not only has the rate of allergies increased, the number of foods that people are allergic to has also increased. According to Professor Katie Allen of Australia, who has been researching allergies for ten years, the food allergy epidemic is "the second epidemic of allergic disease." The first epidemic of disease would have been the asthma and hay fever epidemic. The Guardian vocalizes my thoughts when it says that genes and DNA play a role, but our environment must have changed. The same DNA has been carried for thousands of year, so the only logical explanation is that environment has changed, causing spikes in allergies. (Continued)