Pomegranates are in the Lythraceae family of plants. There are 3 allergens thought to cause allergic reactions in pomegranates.

Pun g 1 is a Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP). Most cases of pomegranate allergy are linked to this protein.

Pun g 7 is a gibberellin regulated protein, gibberellins are plant growth hormones.

Pun g 14 is a chitinase protein. This is a plant derived enzyme made by plants naturally to act as a defence against fungal attacks. Chitinase is a protein associated with an allergy to latex.

Pomegranate is a low 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.

Pomegranates are low in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause gastrointestinal food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.

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

Pomegranate allergy is seen in conjunction with allergies to other foods presenting as Latex Food Syndrome, which is caused by the body confusing the proteins it encounters in food to that of latex proteins to which it is already sensitised.

LTPs are a group of proteins which can cause more serious allergic reactions in patients, you may suffer from LTP Syndrome if you suffer IgE type allergy symptoms to foods mentioned in the cross reactivity section below.

Those with a sensitivity to chitinase may have linked allergies to foods which contain high levels of chitinase like chestnuts, banana, avocados, papaya, maize (corn), kiwi and tomatoes. Chitinase as an airway allergen is found in coffee, cockroaches and dust mite.

Common foods involved in LTP allergy include kiwi, strawberries, sunflower seeds, walnut, apple, mulberry, banana, pea, apricot, cherry, plum, almond, peach pomegranate, raspberry, tomato, grape, celery, peanut, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, chestnut, lemon, tangerine, orange, hazelnut, lettuce, lentils, lupin, green bean, pear, mustard, wheat and maize.

Other plants containing gibberellin food allergens are chilli, bell pepper, orange, cherry, apricot and peach. Gibberellin airway allergens are cedar and cypress pollens.

These food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.

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