Why these tests are popular
At-home food sensitivity kits look attractive: mail a sample, get a downloadable report listing foods ‘to avoid’ within a week or two. For people with gas, bloating, headaches or unexplained skin issues, the promise of a simple answer is enticing. But popularity ≠ accuracy.
What the tests actually measure
Most commercial sensitivity panels measure IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies against dozens — often 100+ — foods from a blood or saliva sample. Results are usually scored or color-coded, with high IgG billed as evidence of a ‘sensitivity’. That interpretation is misleading.
Why IgG results are unreliable
Researchers have found that IgG presence in blood is typically a normal response to food exposure — sometimes even a marker of tolerance rather than harm. High IgG to frequently eaten foods simply reflects exposure, not pathology. Relying on IgG to diagnose sensitivities risks unnecessary and nutritionally harmful eliminations.
Real risks of following test results blindly
Following an IgG report can lead to removing nutrient sources without clinical reason, increasing the risk of deficiencies, fueling anxiety about food, and even promoting disordered eating. Major professional bodies — including allergy specialists — do not recommend IgG testing for diagnosing food sensitivities.
Practical, evidence-based alternatives
If you suspect a food is causing symptoms, start safer, cheaper and clinically validated steps: keep a detailed food & symptom diary, rule out conditions like IBS with a clinician, and conduct a medically supervised elimination/reintroduction (e.g., low-FODMAP) guided by a registered dietitian. These approaches identify true triggers without unnecessary dietary restriction.
In short: IgG test kits are often a false shortcut. They can provide noisy, misleading signals that complicate rather than clarify. If you want answers, document your experience, consult a clinician or dietitian, and use controlled elimination and reintroduction testing rather than trusting a color-coded list in an app.
