Imaginary food intolerances can damage the health

A survey by a testing firm has found that millions of Brits have self-diagnosed a food intolerance and may well be avoiding important foods as a result.

The research, by food diagnostic company YorkTest discovered that many people have altered their diets after carrying out self-diagnosis on the internet.

The poll found that of 12 million people who claimed to be food intolerant less than a quarter had been formally diagnosed.

The researchers say that while the other nine million who also claim to be intolerant may very well be so, it could be that they are just fussy eaters.

Many of those polled, 39 per cent, believe it is trendy to declare themselves food intolerant and said they were influenced by celebrities.

A diverse range of foods were credited as being intolerable but grapefruit and sushi appear to be the main culprits.

Food intolerances are not as severe as food allergies, which in severe cases can prevent people from breathing properly but symptoms can nevertheless be uncomfortable, ranging from a stuffy nose to aching joints and nausea.

However the wide variety of complaints which people pin on food intolerances say they have suggests they could be related to a number of other conditions.

Nutritionists say it is important to seek the advice of a qualified medical practitioner as cutting out something might put a person's nutritional health and long term health at risk.

The report suggests that Britons have deceived themselves into becoming a nation of hypochondriacs and says that at least three million have wrongly convinced themselves they are sufferers.