Shopping Cart

Histamine intolerance - including list of histamine-rich and histamine-releasing foods

Histamine is a natural substance produced by the body and is also present in many foods. It is released by the body during times of stress and allergy. Although we talk of histamine ‘intolerance’ it is neither allergy, nor intolerance, but more a condition of excess histamine from inside or outside the body and an inability to break it down sufficiently.

Almost any allergen can cause histamine to be released. Examples include inhaled allergens (pollen, dustmite, cat dander), drugs (penicillin, sulphur, aspirin), stinging insect venoms, and foods (egg, wheat, milk, fish, etc). In an allergic response, the allergen stimulates the release of antibodies which attach themselves to mast cells. When histamine is released from the mast cells it may cause one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Eyes to itch, burn, or become watery
  • Nose to itch, sneeze, and produce more mucus
  • Skin to itch, develop rashes or hives (Urticaria)
  • Sinuses to become congested and cause headaches
  • Lungs to wheeze or have spasms
  • Stomach to experience cramps and diarrhoea

Histamine in Foods

This is a complex area. There are many foods that contain histamine or cause the body to release histamine when eaten. Reactions in both cases are considered by many to be food intolerances, however the symptoms can be the same as a food allergy. Some asthmatics, for instance, are particularly sensitive to histamine in foods, reacting with an asthma attack.

When individuals suffer a reaction following ingestion of foods such as fish, chocolate, alcoholic beverages, cheese, soy sauce, sauerkraut and processed meat it can be difficult to assess whether such reactions are caused by an inherent histamine intolerance within that individual or a specific reaction to the  large amounts of tyramine that they contain, which are known to trigger headaches in sensitive people.

Likewise, fermented foods may cause allergy symptoms because they are either rich in histamine or because yeast or mould (which some people react to) is involved in the fermentation process

Histamine-Rich Foods:

  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Anchovies
  • Avocados
  • Aged or fermented cheese, such as Gouda, Parmesan, Emmenthal and Camembert. Also Stilton, Roquefort and other blue cheeses.
  • Dried fruits such as apricots, dates, prunes, figs and raisins (you may be able to eat these fruits without reaction if the fruit is thoroughly washed).
  • Aubergine (US eggplant)
  • Soy sauce
  • Mackerel, tuna, sardines
  • Tinned and smoked fish
  • Shellfish
  • Processed meats - especially salamis and Continental sausages, hot dogs etc.
  • Spinach
  • Beans and pulses
  • Sour cream, buttermilk, yogurt - especially if not fresh.
  • Breads baked with large amounts of yeast
  • Vinegar or vinegar-containing foods such as sauerkraut, mayonnaise, salad dressing, chutney, ketchup, chilli sauce, pickles, pickled beetroot, relishes, olives.

Histamine-Releasing Foods (and some DAO blocking foods):

  • Citrus fruits
  • Bananas
  • Kiwi fruit
  • Cocoa products including chocolate
  • Papaya
  • Pineapple
  • Strawberries
  • Fresh tomatoes
  • Walnuts and peanuts
  • Vinegar
  • Mushrooms
  • Black tea
  • Food additives

Allergy tests for these foods will be negative because the cause is histamine intolerance, not food allergy.

Treatment consists of avoiding histamine-rich foods. Taking an antihistamine will block the reaction to histamine in foods but it will only be effective if taken well in advance.

Many people with histamine intolerance have low levels of Diamine Oxydase (DAO), the main enzyme responsible for breaking down ingested histamine. Some foods also act as DAO-blockers, preventing the enzyme from breaking down histamine.

Some prescription or over-the-counter drugs may also interfere with this enzyme::

  • theiohyline - taken orally to treat the symptoms of asthma or other lung conditions that block your airways, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
  • heart medications
  • antibiotics
  • antidepressants
  • antipsychotics
  • diuretics
  • muscle relaxers
  • pain medications (aspirin, ibuprofen)
  • gastrointestinal medications
  • malaria and TB drugs

We stock three product that can counteract low levels of Diamine Oxydase (DAO) : -

  1. DAOSin 
  2. DOAfood
  3. DOAfood plus

These products are very similar but our customers do have their favourite brands

Taken before meals these products allow you to eat histamine-rich food or foods that trigger the release of your own histamine or take medications without unpleasant reactions. 

 

 

DAOfood

 

 

DAOfood with the addition Quercetin and Vitamin C

 

 

 

DAOSin

 

 

 

Low-histamine diet

The following food is recommended for a low-histamine diet:

  • Water, coffee and herbal teas
  • Potatoes, rice and noodles
  • Cereal products
  • Fresh dairy products
  • Vegetables like leaf salads, cauliflower, broccoli, chicory, cucumber, carrot, garlic, sweet pepper, radish, rhubarb, asparagus, courgette, onion
  • Fruits like apple, nectarine, peach, plum, cherry, melon, gooseberry, blueberry
  • Herbs and spices
  • Plant oils
  • Meat, poultry, fresh fish except tuna, mackerel, sardines (fresh or frozen, not tinned)
  • Fresh eggs

Research at Cornell university has found that quercetin, a compound found in apples and red onions reduces the release of histamine and other allergic substances and when combined with Vitamin C decreases sensitivity to allergens and lessens the production of mucus.

Acknowledgements: Jeffrey Tulin-Silver, M.D.& Suchetha Kinhal, M.D. Comprehensive Food Allergy Clinic of West Bloomfield, Michigan

The information AllergyBestBuys provides should not be considered medical advice, nor is it intended to replace consultation with a qualified physician.