Passion fruit is often associated with warm climates and refreshing desserts, but allergists say it can pose problems for a small portion of consumers.
While most people enjoy its tart, aromatic pulp without issue, others may experience itching, swollen lips, hives, or even difficulty breathing soon after eating it.
According to reporting from Health Digest, these reactions are tied to proteins in the fruit known as class I chitinases.
In sensitive individuals, the immune system misidentifies these proteins as harmful and releases chemicals that provoke symptoms ranging from mild irritation to respiratory distress.
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For someone unaware of the risk, a healthy snack can quickly become a medical concern.
Cross-reactivity
One of the strongest indicators of passion fruit sensitivity is an existing latex allergy.
Latex comes from rubber plants, and some of the proteins present in rubber share structural similarities with those in passion fruit.
When the body already reacts to rubber-derived proteins, it may respond the same way to similar proteins found in certain foods, a process known as cross-reactivity.
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The Allergy and Asthma Network reports that up to half of people with latex allergies may react to related foods, a group that commonly includes banana, avocado, and kiwi.
For someone who has experienced symptoms with any of those fruits, caution around passion fruit is generally advised.
Testing and understanding your symptoms
Allergy specialists emphasize the importance of distinguishing between true allergies and food intolerances.
A genuine allergy engages the immune system and can involve the skin, eyes, or airways.
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An intolerance, by contrast, tends to cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, bloating, or gas without triggering a full-body response.
Doctors can use blood tests or skin prick testing to clarify what’s behind a reaction.
For those who discover they are genuinely allergic, avoiding passion fruit, and discussing related foods with an allergist, is considered the safest approach.
Sources: Health Digest, and The Allergy and Asthma Network.
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