What preparation modification helps minimize Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) symptoms when eating peaches?
Peeling the skin and gently cooking the fruit
Individuals suffering from Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) due to pollen sensitivities often react to the cross-reactive proteins residing primarily on the peach skin. A highly effective management strategy involves physical and thermal alteration of the fruit structure. By first peeling away the skin, the source of many irritating proteins is removed. Subsequently, gentle cooking methods, such as poaching or baking, are recommended because heat effectively denatures these proteins. This denaturation process alters the structure enough so that the immune system no longer recognizes them as threats, often rendering the fruit tolerable and safe for consumption where eating it raw would have previously caused irritation.
