Does eliminating red meat intake reduce allergies?

Dear Reader, 

The rumor mill hasn’t quite reached a consensus on this one. As of yet, there hasn’t been any research on the effects of red meat intake on food, dust, or pet allergies. That said, there’s been some exploration about its connection to seasonal allergy symptoms, though this research is somewhat inconclusive. As a result, the choice of whether to cut red meat out of your diet or manage your allergies in other ways is largely a personal choice. Read on to learn more about the benefits and risks of red meat consumption, the impact of nutrition on environmental allergies, and alternative strategies to reduce allergy symptoms. 

There are both health benefits and risks of consuming red meat. Red meat is full of protein, iron, and vitamins. Since it's high in protein, it can be an important dietary component for elderly populations who might be at risk for muscle and bone mass loss. The high iron content prevents anemia and can be particularly helpful for people with uteruses during menstruation and pregnancy. However, red meat can also increase your risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.  

When it comes to red meat’s influence on allergy symptoms, there unfortunately hasn’t been enough meaty research on the subject. Though findings aren’t conclusive, and more research is needed, a diet high in saturated fats, calories, and protein (which may include red meat) seems to increase the risk for allergic diseases such as hay fever, asthma, and eczema. That said, research suggests instead that eating a diet rich in fiber, antioxidants, and fruits and vegetables may be protective against environmental allergies.  

Given that there’s no clear-cut answer here, the choice of whether to keep red meat in your diet is highly personal. The only reason you might want to seriously consider eliminating red meat from your diet is if you’re allergic to a sugar molecule, called alpha-gal, which is found in red meat and other mammalian products, like gelatin and milk. If you have this allergy, also called Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), you might experience symptoms a few hours after eating red meat or other foods containing the same sugar molecule. These symptoms include hives, nausea, swelling, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and heartburn. If you have AGS, you might want to work with a dietician to cut red meat and any related products out of your diet. They can also help make sure you’re getting enough protein and iron from other foods. In addition to eliminating red meat from your diet, you might want to protect yourself from tick bites, as they can also spread AGS. 

Otherwise, if you don’t want to cut red meat out from your diet, don't start sniffling just yet—there are other ways to help relieve environmental allergies! Symptoms of seasonal allergies can be managed by taking over-the-counter allergy medications including pills, eye drops, or nasal sprays. You may want to speak with a health care provider or pharmacist to help decide which medication is best for you. 

Hopefully, this satisfies your appetite for information,