Why do I sneeze every time I eat chocolate?
The reason you sneeze when you eat chocolate is because the chemical phenylethylamine (PEA) is a stimulant in cocoa and some other foods including coffee and red wine. It is thought that PEA acts as a natural mood-booster to make us feel happier.
On top of that, PEA is a potent sexual stimulant, which is why it is also found in sex pills. You may be surprised to learn that the answer to this question varies among people. Some people sneeze when they smell or taste chocolate. Others may sneeze immediately after they eat it.
Still others, however, may not notice any reaction at all. There is no way to know which allergies you might have just by asking—or by simply snacking on a few chocolates. To find out if chocolate is the cause of your sneezing, see our next question.
Why does my stomach make me sneeze when I eat chocolate?
Chocolate and other foods that contain the chemical histamines can cause your body to release small amounts of fluid into your nasal passages. This reaction can make your eyes water and your nose itch. The discomfort is temporary, but it can be enough to make you want to hop out of the room and find something else to snack on.
There is no direct cause-and-effect relationship between eating chocolate and sneezing. Eating chocolate can often cause nausea, which can trigger the urge to sneeze But it’s not just chocolate—eating certain foods like onions, dairy, nuts, and spices can also cause sneezing.
Why do I sneeze after eating chocolate?
The most common reason for sneezing after eating chocolate is because you’re allergic to cocoa. Of the 43,000 cases of food-related allergies that were reported in the United States in 2007 alone, about half involved cocoa. The major allergen in cocoa is called an anit-sperm protein called chitinase.
It’s harmless to most people but allergic reactions to it can be quite unpleasant, especially when it causes swelling in the nose and throat. The reason you sneeze after eating chocolate is because it contains the chemical histamine.
This chemical acts as a signal for the immune system, alerting it to the fact that you have been exposed to something potentially harmful. However, when the immune system is triggered by food it can cause allergic reactions. This allergic reaction can cause symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, itchy skin, and a runny nose.
Why do I always sneeze when I eat chocolate?
If you’re allergic to chocolate, this may explain why you sneeze after eating it. These reactions are called “sensitivity reactions”, which are allergic reactions that occur more quickly than allergy symptoms that develop after exposure to a more gradual trigger.
People who are allergic to chocolate usually report that their reaction often happens after eating dark or bitter chocolates, like dark or milk chocolates. This is because darker chocolates contain higher levels of the suspected allergens. Milk chocolate usually contains less than 20% cocoa solids, whereas dark chocolates usually contain more than 60%.
The addition of cocoa butter, sugar, lecithin, and emulsifiers may also increase the reaction.
Why do I sneeze when I eat chocolate coating?
The cocoa powder that is used to make milk chocolates and dark chocolates is usually made from cocoa beans. The problem is that these cocoa beans are coated with a thick layer of dust which may contain small particles of fungus. If you eat cocoa powder or dark chocolates, you will sneeze because your body is allergic to the dust that the cocoa beans may contain. Part of it is because of the fat in cocoa butter, which coats the nuts, chocolates, and other ingredients. The combination of sugar and fat sends an allergic reaction throughout your body, which triggers your nose to make sure of the foreign substances.