Blueberries are in the Ericaceae family of plants which includes cranberries, huckleberries and heathers.

Blueberries contain Lipid Transfer Protein. These are panallergens, proteins which are found in lots of groups of foods and can cause severe allergic reactions.

Like other berries, blueberries are high in natural Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) and are acidic, so can cause a rash on the face especially in babies and toddlers. Small children have a very low requirement of daily Vitamin C, so it can be easy for them to have more than the recommended intake if they eat a lot of fruit. This can cause gastrointestinal problems and point to food intolerance when this is not the case.

Blueberries are a high FODMAP food. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.

Blueberries are very high in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.

You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.

Other plants in the Ericaceae family of plants include cranberries and huckleberries, if you suffer from an allergy to blueberries then you may also suffer allergic symptoms when eating these foods.

Blueberries are associated with LTP Syndrome, where you are allergic to seemingly unrelated groups of foods, but they all contain lipid transfer proteins.

Other foods containing lipid transfer proteins include almonds, apple, apricot, asparagus, aubergine (eggplant), banana, beetroot, lupin, borlotti beans, broccoli, cabbage, celery, cherry, chestnut, corn, durum wheat, fennel, fig, goji berries, grapes, grapefruit, green beans, hazelnut, kidney beans, kiwi, lemon, lentil, lettuce, mulberry, mustard, onion, orange, parsley, parsnip, pea, peach, peanut, pear, plum, pomegranate, raspberry, strawberry, sunflower seed, tangerine, tomato, walnut and wheat.

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