Do you love food? Whether you’re a foodie or someone who just likes eating, there is so much to choose from. We know that too much of the wrong kind of food can be bad for our health, but for some people having a food allergy means eating certain things can actually be harmful—and now, it seems, this is affecting more and more of us.

An allergy is caused by the immune system (免疫系统) fighting substances in the environment, known as allergens (过敏原), that it should see as harmless. Food allergies can cause life-threatening reactions, which means people have to spend their lives following strict dietary restrictions and worrying about the ingredients of everything they consume Allergy specialist Dr Adam Fox says, “If you look back over, say, 30 or 40 years... there are much more allergic problems around now than there were.”

Research has found that this problem is particularly affecting children. More and more of them are having allergic reactions to certain foodstuffs. Writing for the BBC website, Dr Alexandra Santos from King’s College London says “Food allergy now affects about 7% of children in the UK and 9% of those in Australia, for example. Across Europe 2% of adults have food allergies.”

So what might be the cause? Dr Santos says the increase in allergies is not simply the effect of society becoming more aware of them and better at diagnosing them; it seems to be more environmental. She says possible factors are pollution, dietary changes and less exposure to microbes (微生物), which change how our immune systems respond.

She points out that it’s very common for migrants who move to another country to develop asthma (哮喘) and food allergies in their new location.

A lot of work is being done to try and find a cure, but that’s not easy. So for now allergy sufferers must watch what they eat and they must rely on clear and accurate labelling.

You’ll Be Happiest During These Two Years of Your Life, According to Science

—Brooke Nelson

Good news: your happiest years are still ahead of you. Science says so!

Think you have already reached your peak in life? You might want to think again. We want to share some good news with you: 【小题1】.

According to research from the London School of Economics and Political Science, 【小题2】. Researchers asked 23,000 German volunteers aged 17 to 85 to rate their life satisfaction. Participants predicted how happy they would feel in five years, and then, after five years’ time, reported back on how they actually felt. Find out the biggest misconceptions about happiness we’ve convinced ourselves are true.

Their results? Anything but negative! The study found that happiness tends to follow a U-shaped curve over an individual’s lifetime, with satisfaction reaching higher levels during the extremes of the study’s age range and swinging down with middle age. Plus, the researchers noted the two most important years when happiness peaks: ages 23 and 69.

【小题3】. In our early 20s, we’re energetic and excited for the changes that come along with young age: new careers, new places to travel, and new people to meet. By the time we reach our 60s and 70s, though, we have likely retired and can now find the time—not to mention the money!—to, say, book a flight to Hawaii at a moment’s notice. Also, check out these surprising tricks to be happier without even trying.

【小题4】. After all, your 40+ years are a busy time filled with “raising families, climbing the corporate ladder, and you know, life in general,” Brit+Co writes.

Of course, that’s all the more reason to create your own happiness, regardless of your age! Experts recommend prioritizing small yet rewarding tasks like taking a walk or spending time with family. 【小题5】: a boost in happiness! Next, find out the 24 things happy people do every day.