Studies show that stress can also mimic food intolerance reactions. Cortisol is released in times of stress, which can affect bowel function, as well as cause hives.

Wellness business mentor Vicky Shilling was struggling with IBS when she purchased a food intolerance blood test. The results motivated her to cut yeast, sugar and fermented food s out of her diet.

“The changes I made to my diet did coincide with an improvement in my IBS symptoms,” Shilling says.

“However, I was also doing stuff like meditation, exercising more and blogging about my experience, which helped me de-stress. The dietitians I met via my blog made me realise the test I took wasn’t worth the paper it was written on.”

Are gut health tests worth it? Here’s what the experts say about DYI kits