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Do Raw Sunflower Seeds And Kiwi Fruit Have Anything In Common?

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Posted on Thu, 21 Apr 2022
Question: Hello.i am allergic to raw sunflower seeds, yet not when they are cooked, and I have no reaction to sunflower oil. What would be the reason for this? Strangely I am also allergic to kiwi fruit. Do the two have something in common? Thank you.
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Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This is due to cross reactivity.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Sunflower seeds are dry and raw. During the making of sunflower oil, these seeds undergo a lot of food processing. This food processing removes majority of allergen proteins from seeds and make it less allergic.
Similar thing happens when you cook them.
So I suggest you to consume only properly cooked and properly processed sunflower oil to prevent allergic reaction.

Answer to your 2nd question.

There is a term known as 'Cross reactivity'. It is sharing of common allergens. So if I am allergic to one particular food item, I am more likely to have allergy to other food items which share similar protein structure.
Sunflower seeds share common protein structure with kiwi and hazelnut, Rye grains.
So to have kiwi allergy while having sunflower seed allergy is common and this is because of shared common protein allergen.

Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15003 Questions

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Do Raw Sunflower Seeds And Kiwi Fruit Have Anything In Common?

Brief Answer: This is due to cross reactivity. Detailed Answer: Hi, Sunflower seeds are dry and raw. During the making of sunflower oil, these seeds undergo a lot of food processing. This food processing removes majority of allergen proteins from seeds and make it less allergic. Similar thing happens when you cook them. So I suggest you to consume only properly cooked and properly processed sunflower oil to prevent allergic reaction. Answer to your 2nd question. There is a term known as 'Cross reactivity'. It is sharing of common allergens. So if I am allergic to one particular food item, I am more likely to have allergy to other food items which share similar protein structure. Sunflower seeds share common protein structure with kiwi and hazelnut, Rye grains. So to have kiwi allergy while having sunflower seed allergy is common and this is because of shared common protein allergen. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.