Six foods with high histamine content!

Histamine is a chemical substance that the body’s immune system produces against certain types of foreign bodies such as the allergens. The process leads to allergic symptoms. There are specific drugs that act against this substance. But certain foods high in histamine can counteract their actions. Which are these foods containing high histamine levels? 

 

Histamine is a chemical substance that the white blood cells of the human body synthesize in response to certain specific allergic insults. These insults could be insects, fungi, molds, pollens or some allergenic foods. 

 

Most people produce limited amounts of this chemical. But around 1% of the world population have an exaggerated response to these allergens. The synthesis of histamine in them is very high. Their body cannot break down this histamine fast enough. Hence, it leads to certain symptoms in them.

 

Histamine dilates the blood vessels of the body. Hence, it causes flushing, palpitations, rapid heart beats, low blood pressure, dizziness, shortness of breath, wheezing, headaches, loose motions, skin lesions or reactions etc. Such people should avoid foods with high histamine levels. Which are these foods?

 

The histamine levels in foods vary and even in the same food the amounts are more or less than the determined values. One cannot quantify the levels accurately. But a general rule is that fermented foods, processed foods and aged foods have high histamine levels in them. 

Fermented foods include pickles, sauerkraut, kombucha etc. Sauerkraut has a very high content of histamine in it. Allergic people should avoid it. A lot depends on the age of these foods and how they are prepared. 

People with histamine intolerance can have problems with alcohol. The other substances in alcohol that lead to these symptoms are sulfites or the specific grain that has been used in the making of the alcohol. These symptoms manifest as headaches and migraines. 

Smoked, preserved or packaged meat can induce symptoms in histamine intolerant people. These people should always consume fresh meats. Moreover, the way one cooks the meat determines it’s histamine levels. Boiling lowers it’s histamine content but grilling meat tends to increase it.

Ageing the cheese enhances it’s histamine levels. And a lot also depends on the temperature at which the cheese is stored. Studies have revealed that histamine in cheese stored at 22 degrees Celsius is higher than that found in cheese kept at 4 degrees Celsius. 

Legumes such as chickpeas, kidney beans and peanuts have a higher level of histamine in them. They induce allergies in some people. Moreover, they lead to inflammation of the inside lining of the nose. 

 

Read here: Kombucha: history, preparation, ingredients, benefits, and caution!

The Citrus fruits have a lot of vitamin C in them. But they do not have high histamine content. However, these fruits trigger the release of histamine in the body of humans. Hence advocates of low histamine or anti histamine diet recommend limiting these fruits that  include lemons, limes, and oranges.