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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Why do people with nut allergies react to peanuts, which are legumes?

Not as nutty as they look ... salted peanuts
Not as nutty as they look ... salted peanuts. Photograph: Anna Yu/Getty Images

Given that, botanically, peanuts are legumes rather than nuts, why do people with nut allergies react to both nuts and peanuts, while allergic reactions to beans and peas seem less common?

Anne Liddon, Tynemouth

• Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com. Please include name, address and phone number.

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