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Last Updated on Friday, 22 September 2023 15:03

The foodintol® Survey 2012

World first: International snapshot of food intolerance

MEDIA: Food Intolerance Institute founder Deborah Manners BSc(Hons) was interviewed on ABC Radio 774 Melbourne and ABC 891 Adelaide.

News and findings of the Survey were also reported nationally on commercial radio and in News Ltd newspapers Australia wide. body+soul Sunday Herald Sun  Also body+soul

In May 2012 we surveyed our subscribers* about their experiences with food intolerance: their symptoms, the methods used to discover their intolerance - and the results of making changes to their diet.

Many thanks to the 900+ respondents from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand

*Note. Not everyone answering the survey had completed a program and identified a food intolerance.

 

Key findings of the Survey

1). Symptoms relieved by substituting problem foods:

The survey showed that discovering food intolerance and substituting some foods brought symptom relief:

Symptoms suffered No. of respondents  After substituting problem foods
Stomach bloating 85% 79% reported bloating better
Irritable bowel, diarrhea 83% 70% reported this was better
Headaches 50% 41% reported it was improved
Gradual weight gain 44% 38% had weight loss
 Arthritic or stiff joints 52% 36% reported more mobility



2). Wellbeing benefits from discovering food intolerance:

After identifying their food intolerance and adjusting their diet - respondents reported that in addition to healing symptoms - there were other benefits:

  • 70% reported increased energy levels
  • 37% experienced less stress
  • 40% reported better ability to concentrate
  • 50% now have a brighter mood
  • 38% of overweight respondents noticed weight loss

 

3). Majority were surprised by their results:

59% of people investigating food intolerance were surprised by their results:

  • 17% had suspected the wrong intolerance all along
  • A further 42% were surprised to discover a second food intolerance

 

4). Food intolerance runs in the family

The majority of respondents have a family member or child with food intolerance:

  • 48% of participants had a family member with food intolerance (sibling, parent or other)
  • 21% of respondents – have a child with food intolerance
  • Another 27% suspect food intolerance in a child

 

5). Additional benefits of identifying food intolerance:

After identifying food intolerance and substituting problem foods - many respondents needed fewer medications:

  • Reduced need for medications: 36%
  • Medications no longer needed: 12%

But there were also unexpected additional benefits:

  • More joint mobility for 23%
  • A brighter mood - 50%
  • Less time off work - 20%
  • Increased energy for 70%
  • Less money spent on medications and doctors visits - 30%

 

6). Super-Tolerance of Symptoms

Many people suffer for years before investigating food intolerance:

  • 42% of respondents waited over five years before investigating
  • 28% waited more than two years

 

Download the foodintol® Survey 2012:

Download Survey (pdf file)

 

RESEARCH & REFERENCES

All foodintol® information is based on research from peer-reviewed medical journals