Growing numbers of people are missing out on vital nutrients after incorrectly diagnosing themselves with food allergies, a poll has suggested.

In a survey carried out by Norwich Union Healthcare, 63 per cent of GPs said they had seen an increase in patients wrongly diagnosing themselves with food allergies and intolerances.

So-called intolerances to things like wheat, gluten and lactose are being based on inaccurate information in the media, rather than medical evidence, experts say.

A standard blood test can reveal whether a person is allergic or intolerant to certain food groups.

While many of us suffer from legitimate food intolerances without realising, doctors warn that these misconceptions can be dangerous.

Dr Sarah Brewer, medical consultant from nutrition experts Immogenics said: “The best thing to do, before deciding to eliminate a particular food from your diet, is to find out if it really is affecting you. It is now widely accepted that our sensitivity to foods is as personal to us as our DNA. Our bodies do not cope with some foodstuffs as well as they cope with others. Specific foods may trigger an inappropriate immune response. Your body goes on the defensive instead of promoting energy and efficient metabolism, in turn causing your weight to increase, your energy to decrease and your general health to suffer.”