Food intolerances, allergies and blood pressure
A relatively large number of people suffer from allergies and/or food intolerances. The fact that these can also affect blood pressure is often not taken into consideration.
Swiss researchers found a link between pollen allergies and blood pressure. In one study, they showed that on days with high pollen concentrations in the surrounding air, participants' systolic blood pressure rose by 2 mmHg and their diastolic blood pressure by 1.5 mmHg. Given the longer pollen seasons caused by climate change and the large number of people affected, this represents a burden that should not be underestimated.
Swiss researchers found a link between pollen allergies and blood pressure. In one study, they showed that on days with high pollen concentrations in the surrounding air, participants' systolic blood pressure rose by 2 mmHg and their diastolic blood pressure by 1.5 mmHg. Given the longer pollen seasons caused by climate change and the large number of people affected, this represents a burden that should not be underestimated.
One patient told us that after years of unsuccessful drug treatment for high blood pressure (140-150/90-95) she was diagnosed with a wheat intolerance and a lactose intolerance. Just 14 days after she removed wheat and lactose from her diet, her blood pressure returned to normal (around 100-115/70-80).
Why can the intestinal wall become damaged? Poor diet and lifestyle contribute to this. Alcohol, stress, medications, infections, or environmental toxins can damage the intestinal lining. Other ways of developing an allergy have also been described, for example, inhaling pollen in the case of a pollen allergy. Inhaled particulate matter (soot particles, which are increasingly being criticized as an environmentally harmful consequence of road traffic) has been proven to have a negative effect on blood pressure.
Whether it is a wheat allergy, celiac disease (gluten intolerance), or lactose intolerance, all of these conditions can be accompanied by high blood pressure. Doctors often do not find the underlying cause and treat the high blood pressure with medication instead of recommending dietary changes.
In cases of diagnosed histamine intolerance, high blood pressure, tachycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias are among the reported accompanying symptoms. Hypotension and extrasystoles have also been reported in connection with food intolerances such as lactose intolerance. Clinically relevant food intolerances are estimated to affect 1 to 2 percent of the population. According to those surveyed, however, the self-reported figures are considerably higher - namely, 10 to 20 percent. One in 200 people has celiac disease (gluten intolerance). However, since only 20 percent of those affected present with the full clinical picture of this disease, accompanying symptoms caused by celiac disease, such as high blood pressure, are often not associated with gluten intolerance.
Another aspect to consider: if you take medication for one of your allergies or intolerances, such as histamine intolerance (if it is thought to be responsible for lowering your blood pressure), this can secondarily lead to an increase in blood pressure.
Sources:
This article is from Tensana – the leading app since 2011, helping hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 01/2026).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
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