A Cuban woman in Spain has sparked debate after questioning why she never encountered food intolerances while working in the hospitality industry in Cuba, unlike in her current country of residence. This reflection was shared by Blanca de Dios on her Instagram profile, generating hundreds of comments with various opinions.
"There's something that blows my mind. I lived 25 years in Cuba, and for 5 of those, I worked in hospitality. Never in my life did I see lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, or allergies to tomatoes or beef," she stated. "When I arrived in Spain, I discovered these types of intolerances to many products. There’s an unimaginable list that I learned while working in hospitality. Why is it that we don't usually have these intolerances there? However, here in Spain, I see many of these intolerances. There must be a specific factor, something genetic, some type of diet. I wish someone could explain it to me."
Reactions to her words were swift, and the comments included messages like:
- "The body is wise; if all those intolerances came out in Cuba, it would be a disaster."
- "In Cuba, there's no diagnosis. Nor abundant food like in Spain. Eating beef is a crime pursued by the police. This video is out of place. They barely eat a piece of unleavened bread a day."
- "In Cuba, many people have stomach ulcers and many other problems. And they don’t know the cause."
- "You have them, but you live with it."
- "They have the same allergies, they just don't know it."
- "There’s nothing like that in Cuba."
- "When you're hungry, gluten intolerance doesn't matter; you just want to fill your stomach. Allergies can’t be avoided, but intolerances are quickly forgotten when you're starving."
- "It's called better diagnosis. Before, there was no cancer either, and when someone died, you often heard: they died of something bad."
Understanding Food Intolerances in Cuba and Spain
In this section, we address some of the questions and concerns raised by Blanca de Dios' observations about food intolerances in Cuba and Spain.
Why are food intolerances more commonly diagnosed in Spain than in Cuba?
Food intolerances may be more commonly diagnosed in Spain due to better access to healthcare and diagnostic tools. In Cuba, limited resources and lack of medical infrastructure may prevent such diagnoses.
Do Cubans have the same food intolerances as people in Spain?
It's possible that Cubans have similar food intolerances, but they may not be diagnosed or recognized due to the lack of medical tests and awareness.
How does diet affect the prevalence of food intolerances?
Diet can play a significant role in the development of food intolerances. The types of foods commonly consumed and the nutritional quality of the diet can influence how food intolerances manifest.