Histamine Intolerance is Real.
Many foods and beverages contain histamine. Some trigger the release of histamine in the gut.
Individuals who are sensitive or intolerant to dietary histamine react in a number of ways, from digestive disturbances to sneezing and congestion, red/watery eyes, flushed skin, even hives and headache.
Imbalance between histamine and the degrading enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO)
Histamine-Rich Foods
- Chocolate
- Cheese (all types, especially aged)
- Sauerkraut
- Tuna
- Aged, cured, processed and fermented meats (pepperoni, sausage, bacon)
- Tomatoes/Ketchup
- Vinegar (all types)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Shellfish
- Avocado
- Bananas
- Eggplant
Histamine Liberators
- Berries (especially strawberries)
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Milk and dairy products
- Citrus fruits
- Bananas
- Chocolate
- Shellfish
DAO Enzyme-Inhibiting Drugs
- Acemetacin
- Acetylcysteine
- Adalimumab (Humaira)
- Amitriptyline
- Antihistamines
- Aspirin
- Diazapam
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Etanercept (Enbrel)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Haloperidol
- Ibuprofen
- Neomycin
- Propranolol
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Venlafaxine
- Verapamil