Reference — Histamine foods

Which foods are high in histamine.

A plain list: histamine level for each food, whether it releases histamine, and whether it blocks the DAO enzyme that clears it. Filter by level or search a food. Ratings follow the Swiss SIGHI compatibility list.

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61

Foods rated in this list

3

Levels: high, moderate, low

1,200

Foods rated inside the app

SIGHI

The list ratings follow


Filter the list

61 of 61 foods

Food

Category

Histamine

Notes

Aged Cheddar Cheese

Dairy & Cheese

High

High in histamine — best avoided on a low-histamine diet.

Parmesan Cheese

Dairy & Cheese

High

High in histamine — one of the most concentrated sources.

Fresh Mozzarella

Dairy & Cheese

Low

Low in histamine when very fresh — one of the safer cheeses.

Ricotta Cheese

Dairy & Cheese

Low

Generally low in histamine when fresh.

Cream Cheese

Dairy & Cheese

Low

Usually low in histamine — a fresh, mild option.

Butter

Dairy & Cheese

Low

Low in histamine and well tolerated.

Plain Yogurt

Dairy & Cheese

High

High in histamine — yogurt is a fermented dairy product.

Kefir

Dairy & Cheese

High

High in histamine — a fermented, probiotic drink.

Sauerkraut

Fermented Foods

High

Very high in histamine — a top food to avoid.

Kimchi

Fermented Foods

High

Very high in histamine — best avoided.

Kombucha

Fermented Foods

High

High in histamine — fermented and best avoided.

Miso Paste

Fermented Foods

High

High in histamine — a fermented soybean paste.

Tempeh

Fermented Foods

High

High in histamine — tempeh is fermented soy.

Natto

Fermented Foods

High

Very high in histamine — a strongly fermented food.

Soy Sauce

Fermented Foods

High

High in histamine — a fermented condiment to limit.

Salami

Meat & Poultry

High

Very high in histamine — cured and aged.

Prosciutto

Meat & Poultry

High

High in histamine — a long-cured ham.

Bacon

Meat & Poultry

High

High in histamine — cured and often smoked.

Fresh Chicken Breast

Meat & Poultry

Low

Low in histamine when fresh — a reliable staple.

Fresh Ground Beef

Meat & Poultry

Moderate

Low when very fresh, but rises fast — handle with care.

Fresh Turkey

Meat & Poultry

Low

Low in histamine when fresh.

Canned Tuna

Fish & Seafood

High

High in histamine — canned fish is a classic trigger.

Smoked Salmon

Fish & Seafood

High

High in histamine — smoked and cured.

Sardines

Fish & Seafood

High

High in histamine — oily and usually canned.

Anchovies

Fish & Seafood

High

Very high in histamine — salted and aged.

Mackerel

Fish & Seafood

High

High in histamine — a fast-spoiling oily fish.

Fresh Cod

Fish & Seafood

Moderate

Tolerable only when extremely fresh or frozen-at-sea.

Tomatoes

Vegetables

High · liberator

High in histamine and a histamine liberator — avoid.

Spinach

Vegetables

High

High in histamine — a surprising leafy-green trigger.

Eggplant

Vegetables

High

High in histamine — best avoided.

Avocado

Vegetables

High

High in histamine — often poorly tolerated.

Zucchini

Vegetables

Low

Low in histamine — a versatile safe vegetable.

Broccoli

Vegetables

Low

Low in histamine — a safe everyday green.

Carrots

Vegetables

Low

Low in histamine — well tolerated raw or cooked.

Sweet Potato

Vegetables

Low

Low in histamine — a filling, safe carbohydrate.

Cucumber

Vegetables

Low

Low in histamine — refreshing and safe.

Cauliflower

Vegetables

Low

Low in histamine — a flexible safe vegetable.

Strawberries

Fruits

Moderate · liberator

A histamine liberator — low in histamine but still a trigger.

Oranges

Fruits

Moderate · liberator

A citrus histamine liberator — commonly a trigger.

Lemon

Fruits

Moderate · liberator

A citrus histamine liberator — use with caution.

Pineapple

Fruits

High · liberator

High-histamine and a liberator — best avoided.

Banana

Fruits

Moderate · liberator

A histamine liberator — tolerance varies a lot.

Apple

Fruits

Low

Low in histamine — a reliably safe fruit.

Pear

Fruits

Low

Low in histamine — gentle and well tolerated.

Blueberries

Fruits

Low

Low in histamine — a safe berry option.

Mango

Fruits

Low

Low in histamine — generally well tolerated when fresh.

Pomegranate

Fruits

Low

Low in histamine — a refreshing safe fruit.

Red Wine

Alcohol

High · DAO blocker

High in histamine and blocks DAO — a top trigger.

Beer

Alcohol

High · DAO blocker

High in histamine and blocks DAO — best avoided.

Champagne

Alcohol

High · DAO blocker

High in histamine and blocks DAO — a common trigger.

Vinegar

Pantry & Condiments

High

High in histamine — a fermented hidden trigger.

Chocolate

Pantry & Condiments

Moderate · liberator · DAO blocker

A liberator that also blocks DAO — commonly a trigger.

Walnuts

Nuts & Seeds

Moderate · liberator

A histamine liberator — often poorly tolerated.

Cashews

Nuts & Seeds

Moderate · liberator

A histamine liberator — a common trigger.

Peanuts

Nuts & Seeds

Moderate · liberator

A histamine liberator — handle with caution.

White Rice

Grains

Low

Low in histamine — a dependable staple carbohydrate.

Quinoa

Grains

Low

Low in histamine — a safe protein-rich grain.

Black Tea

Drinks

Low · DAO blocker

Low in histamine but blocks DAO — limit it.

Green Tea

Drinks

Low · DAO blocker

Low in histamine but a DAO blocker — best limited.

Rooibos Tea

Drinks

Low

Low in histamine and DAO-friendly — a safe hot drink.

Eggs

Eggs

Low

Cooked eggs are low-histamine; raw egg white can be a liberator.

Ratings follow the Swiss SIGHI food compatibility list and mainstream histamine-intolerance guidance, rated conservatively where sources disagree. Reference data, not medical advice.


Questions

Why is fresh fish low but canned fish high?

Histamine forms after the animal dies, and keeps forming as the flesh sits. Fresh fish cooked promptly is low; the same fish tinned, cured, or left over is not. Freshness matters more than species.

What is a histamine liberator?

A food low in histamine that prompts mast cells to release it — strawberries, citrus, chocolate, shellfish. Avoiding only high-histamine foods and still reacting is usually explained by these.

What is a DAO blocker?

DAO is the enzyme that breaks histamine down in the gut. Alcohol, black and mate tea, and energy drinks inhibit it, so histamine from other foods clears more slowly.

Why is a food I tolerate rated high?

Ratings are conservative and generic; tolerance is individual and depends on the daily total, DAO activity, and freshness. The list is a starting point for elimination, not a verdict on a single food.

1,200 foods rated inside the app.

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