In a recent study done by Royal Free Hospital, London, lupin flour have been identified as the ingredient that can cause similar allergic reactions to people who are also allergic to peanuts.
Peanuts are known to cause severe allergic symptoms in people. The symptoms of peanut allergy are inflammation of the lips and the tongue, difficulty in breathing, and choking of the throat and the patient may need emergency hospitalization to make a full recovery.The recent study, which was published in the journal The Lancet, was based on the experience of a 25yr old woman who had the similar symptoms of anaphylaxis and was allergic to peanuts. However when her food that had caused the allergic reaction was checked for peanuts had not revealed any peanut ingredient. The researchers of the study had found the ingredient to the lupin flour. Lupin flour is made from onions is widely used in countries of Europe.
The study had opened a new field of research for scientists dealing with allergic reactions and their causes. Lupin flour allergy is still a hitherto unknown form of allergic reaction and only being reported recently.
Reference: The Lancet, issue April 2005
