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      Hazelnut

      Hazelnut intolerance may be due to its unique proteins, fats, or cross-reactivity with pollen. Avoid hazelnuts for 8 weeks, use supplements like digestive enzymes and probiotics, and retest for improvement.

      What is Hazelnut?

      Hazelnut is a nut commonly enjoyed in chocolates, baked goods, and spreads like hazelnut butter or Nutella. Rich in healthy fats, vitamin E, and magnesium, hazelnuts are a popular choice for snacking and adding flavor to recipes.

      🤔 Why Do I Have an Intolerance to Hazelnut and Its Components?

      You may experience intolerance to hazelnut due to the following components:

      Proteins:

      • Cor a 9 and Cor a 14: Primary storage proteins in hazelnuts that may trigger sensitivity.
      • Cor a 1: Related to birch pollen allergies, this protein can cross-react with immune systems sensitive to pollens.

      Fats:

      • Hazelnuts are high in monounsaturated fats, which can be harder for some individuals to digest.

      Phenolic Compounds:

      • Naturally occurring compounds in hazelnuts, such as tannins, can cause irritation or inflammation in sensitive systems.

      Histamines:

      • Hazelnuts may contain moderate levels of histamines, which can exacerbate symptoms in histamine-sensitive individuals.

      🛠️ What Can I Do About It?

      • Avoid hazelnuts and hazelnut-based products for 8 weeks to allow your system to recover.
      • Retest your sensitivity after 8 weeks to evaluate improvements.
      • Use nut-free or other nut substitutes, such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, in recipes.

      💊 Which Supplements Can Help?

      To manage hazelnut intolerance and support your system, consider:

      Digestive Enzymes:

      • Help break down hazelnut proteins like Cor a 9 and Cor a 14, reducing digestive symptoms.

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      Probiotics:

      • Improve gut bacteria balance and enhance digestion to better process nuts in general.

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      Anti-inflammatory Supplements:

      • Curcumin: Reduces inflammation caused by food sensitivities.

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      • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Help alleviate inflammatory responses and support overall gut health.

      Histamine Blockers:

      • DAO (Diamine Oxidase): Mitigates reactions from histamines present in hazelnuts.

      🌟 Why Might I Have an Intolerance to Hazelnut but Not Other Nuts?

      If you tolerate other nuts like almonds or cashews but react to hazelnuts, these factors may explain why:

      Protein Differences:

      • Hazelnuts have unique proteins (e.g., Cor a 9, Cor a 14) not found in other nuts, making them more reactive for some individuals.
      • Almonds and cashews have different protein structures, which might be easier for your system to handle.

      Histamine Levels:

      • Hazelnuts have higher histamine content than some other nuts, potentially triggering reactions in histamine-sensitive individuals.

      Fat Composition:

      • Hazelnuts are particularly high in monounsaturated fats, which might be harder to digest than the fat composition in other nuts.

      Cross-Reactivity with Pollen Allergies:

      • Hazelnuts share proteins with birch pollen (Cor a 1), leading to sensitivities not present with other nuts.

      🍽️ Popular Dishes Containing Hazelnut

      • Nutella and other hazelnut spreads
      • Hazelnut chocolate bars
      • Hazelnut butter
      • Hazelnut coffee

      🍽️ Alternatives (if tolerated)

      • Almonds
      • Cashews
      • Sunflower seeds
      • Pumpkin seeds