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News18
04-08-2025
- Health
- News18
US Woman, Allergic To Almost All Foods, Finds Relief After Moving To Europe: ‘My Body Was Shutting Down'
Last Updated: An American woman developed serious allergies after consuming foods like cheese, bread, coffee, some vegetables and berries. A woman in the US faced a strange challenge when many common foods started making her 'very sick". Bee developed serious allergies after consuming foods like cheese, bread, coffee, some vegetables and berries. These food items caused allergic reactions, including swelling, rashes and stomach pain. Due to this, she was only able to eat broccoli, coconut and some chicken. She then chose to leave the US and move to a new country in Europe for a fresh start. One day, by chance, Bee ate a broccoli dish cooked with tomato sauce, an ingredient that usually causes her strong reactions, but surprisingly, it did not trigger any allergic symptoms. Speaking with Newsweek, the woman said, 'I didn't want to leave behind my entire life in the US, but I didn't feel like I had a choice. I break out in hives, or a red rash or flushing that covers my chest and face. The rash is also hot and itchy. I'd have difficulty breathing, stabbing pain in my abdomen, migraines, tinnitus, joint pain, brain fog, congestion, and hear my heartbeat in my head." Because of her multiple allergic reactions, Bee always kept an EpiPen, an inhaler, Benadryl and even some baking soda, just in case something triggered her symptoms. According to her, 'I felt like my body was slowly shutting down from lack of nutrition because my diet was so limited." Doctors Uncover Hidden Symptoms: After moving to an undisclosed country in Europe, she slowly began trying foods she hadn't eaten in years, and she didn't face a single allergic reaction. With the help of a doctor, she tested her limits and discovered that she had high levels of certain mould toxins in her body, including Ochratoxin A, Aflatoxins, Trichothecenes, Gliotoxin, and Zearalenone. These harmful substances are made by molds that can grow on some farm products. Doctors also found that she had a gene that makes it harder for her body to remove these mold toxins. Bee finally learned that it wasn't the food causing her symptoms; it was mold. Fresh Start, New Discoveries: Bee said, 'I started with gluten, dairy, then moved onto fruits and vegetables. I was always safe about it, never doing it alone, knowing where the closest hospital was, and having my meds on hand. After dozens of trials, I just kept getting the same results. I almost didn't believe it at first and was pretty shocked. I knew that there was just something different about American food that I couldn't explain. Over time, my body couldn't handle it because of my genetic factors. My doctor also thinks that preservatives and additives could have also been contributing to the histamine reactions because my body had such high levels of mold, so it was more sensitive." In Europe, Bee can now enjoy all kinds of foods without getting sick, especially bread and dairy, which she missed dearly. Yet each time she returns to the US, her symptoms flare up again. She finds it discouraging that someone should have to leave their home country just to eat safely. Through her research, Bee learned that food in the US often contains higher levels of mold toxins and has less stringent regulations, which may be contributing to her reactions. It was a huge relief when she eventually discovered that her symptoms were caused by Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). She also recognises that not everyone has the option to relocate abroad for their health. Many people live with serious food allergies and don't have the freedom to make such a major life change, even if it might improve their quality of life. view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: August 04, 2025, 08:21 IST News viral US Woman, Allergic To Almost All Foods, Finds Relief After Moving To Europe: 'My Body Was Shutting Down' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Newsweek
01-08-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Woman Leaves US Due to Severe Allergies—Shock at What She Can Eat in Europe
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. "I didn't want to leave behind my entire life in the U.S., but I didn't feel like I had a choice," Bee told Newsweek, after allergic reactions meant she was only able to eat three foods. Previously, Bee, who doesn't wish to disclose her full name, could eat anything without concern. But in recent years, her body began to reject different foods, starting with gluten, dairy, coffee, certain vegetables, and then various types of berries. Every week it seemed like she developed a new allergy, and she couldn't fathom why. By 2024, she was only able to eat broccoli, coconut, and some chicken. It became "quite depressing" to stick to these three ingredients for every single meal. "I break out in hives, or a red rash or flushing that covers my chest and face," Bee said. "The rash is also hot and itchy. I'd have difficulty breathing, stabbing pain in my abdomen, migraines, tinnitus, joint pain, brain fog, congestion, and heard my heartbeat in my head." Bee with a rash on her neck and chest after eating in the US, compared to no rash in Europe. Bee with a rash on her neck and chest after eating in the US, compared to no rash in Europe. @bee70654 / TikTok Bee had to ensure she had an EpiPen, inhaler, Benadryl (and oddly enough, baking soda) on hand at all times in case she suffered a reaction. She couldn't take it any longer, and in November 2024, she left the U.S. and moved to Europe for a fresh start. (She doesn't wish to name the country publicly due to safety reasons.) "I had to, I felt like my body was slowly shutting down from lack of nutrition because my diet was so limited," she said. The first time Bee tried eating something that she's normally allergic to was purely by accident. She'd ordered a broccoli dish (of course) and discovered that it was cooked in a tomato sauce—one of her biggest triggers. She braced for a reaction, only for nothing to happen and no symptoms to arise. After that, she gradually expanded her reach and sampled other foods that would normally cause her an array of symptoms. To her amazement, she hasn't had a single reaction since leaving the U.S. Bee said: "I started with gluten, dairy, then moved onto fruits and vegetables. I was always safe about it—never doing it alone, knowing where the closest hospital was, having my meds on hand. After dozens of trials, I just kept getting the same results. "I almost didn't believe it at first and was pretty shocked. I knew that there was just something different about American food that I couldn't explain." Bee tested the limits of her allergies under the guidance of a doctor and doesn't encourage anyone to try this without seeking medical advice. After doing tests with her doctor, Bee learned that she has high levels of the mycotoxins Ochratoxin A, Trichothecenes, Aflatoxins, Gliotoxin, and Zearalenone. These are toxic substances produced by molds which can contaminate certain agricultural products. She was also diagnosed with a gene that impacts how efficiently her body can process mold-related toxins. Bee eating shrimp for the first time in years and not experiencing a reaction. Bee eating shrimp for the first time in years and not experiencing a reaction. @bee70654 / TikTok As Bee puts it, it's not the food she's allergic to, but the mold instead. "Over time, my body couldn't handle it because of my genetic factors. My doctor also thinks that preservatives and additives could have also been contributing to the histamine reactions because my body had such high levels of mold, so it was more sensitive," Bee told Newsweek. The EU and U.S. have different regulations when it comes to mycotoxins in food. The EU tends to be stricter and allows lower limits of toxins, while the maximum limits are often higher in the U.S. Aflatoxin M1 can be found in milk, and the U.S. allows a maximum of 500 nanograms per kilogram, in contrast to the EU which permits a limit of 50 nanograms per kilogram. Dr. Saira Q. Zafar, a board-certified allergist and immunologist at Schweiger Dermatology and Allergy, told Newsweek that Bee's experience is "not entirely surprising" since certain artificial dyes, preservatives, and pesticide residues that are banned or tightly regulated in the EU are allowed in the U.S. In some cases, what may seem like an allergy may in fact be a sensitivity to additives or contaminants, including pesticides or mycotoxins. Zafar said: "Histamine intolerance—where the body reacts to histamine-rich or histamine-releasing foods like shellfish, aged cheese, or fermented products—can cause symptoms like rashes, flushing, or gastrointestinal upset. These may mimic an allergy but stem from impaired histamine breakdown. "If U.S. food production and storage methods lead to higher histamine or mold byproducts, it's conceivable that moving to a country with stricter regulations and fresher, less processed food could reduce symptoms." However, Bee's experience is anecdotal and it's important to stress the difference between that and a confirmed food allergy. Some food reactions may not be true allergies, but could relate to environmental exposures, microbiome changes, or chemical sensitivity, Zafar noted. After relocating, Bee started documenting her experiences of trying foods that once gave her allergic reactions on TikTok (@bee70654). The videos have captured plenty of attention online, with one even amassing over 1.8 million views and 188,000 likes at the time of writing. Bee can eat everything now in Europe, much to her delight. She's missed bread and dairy the most, and she cannot get enough of being able to eat them without fear. When she's returned to the U.S., the "food makes [her] sick" and she develops histamine reactions once more. "People shouldn't have to uproot their entire lives just to eat. I was disappointed to discover that the U.S. allows higher levels (or has no limits) mycotoxins in food," Bee said. "It's a relief to learn that my allergies were related to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, which was triggered by mycotoxins and mold. I know there are people with real food allergies who don't have the privilege of eating foods abroad, or the privilege of uprooting their lives the way I did." Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
