Final answer:
The statement is true; food allergies can lead to both gut reactions and systemic effects, involving symptoms beyond the digestive system, such as anaphylaxis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that food allergies cause systemic effects as well as gut reactions is A) True. Food allergies can lead to a range of symptoms from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to severe systemic reactions. When the immune system reacts to a harmless protein from the environment, this is called an allergy, and it can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, itching, swelling, and in severe cases, trouble breathing or anaphylaxis. Unlike food intolerances, which are digestive issues, food allergies involve the immune system and can affect the entire body.