Wissenswertes

Paprika and histamine

Bell peppers are a great alternative for anyone who can't tolerate tomatoes. Not only can they be made into a delicious puree, but they are also a true delight grilled, cooked, or steamed. Learn more about this versatile vegetable here!

Bell Peppers and Histamine: Are Bell Peppers Suitable for a Low-Histamine Diet?

Bell peppers, along with their closely related vegetable counterparts, chili peppers and hot peppers, are a very popular vegetable. Stuffed bell peppers are frequently prepared, or the vegetable is used in salads. It originates from South and Central America. Today, Mexico and China are among the leading cultivation areas. The demand for bell peppers in Germany is primarily met by Spain and the Netherlands, with only a small portion coming from Germany itself. Bell peppers naturally contain little histamine, which is why the vegetable is suitable for a low-histamine diet. Bell peppers also serve as a good alternative to high-histamine vegetables.

Paprika Histamin

Bell Pepper Tolerance

Some foods contain histamine, while others produce histamine through the bacterial breakdown of histidine, acting as histamine liberators. Like all other amino acids, this amino acid is a building block of proteins. However, bacteria require proteins as a basis for the formation of the biogenic amine histamine. Since bell peppers contain only about 1 to 2 g of protein per 100 grams, there is no suitable breeding ground for bacteria. The situation is different, for example, with cheese or salami.

Red Bell Peppers versus Green Bell Peppers: How Much Histamine is Contained?

For a low-histamine diet, red, yellow, and orange bell pepper varieties are suitable. Green bell peppers, on the other hand, are high in histamine. However, for the histamine content in bell peppers to remain low, it is important that the vegetable is fresh and not stored in the refrigerator for a long time. For spices, sweet paprika is better than hot paprika spice. What about histamine in bell pepper chips? These are not very tolerable on a low-histamine diet due to their spiciness and often added additives.

Bell Pepper Intolerance

Bell peppers do not contain histamine, but rather salicylic acid and capsaicin. The former is found in the bell pepper skin. People with salicylate intolerance therefore cannot tolerate paprika spice at all and tolerate raw bell peppers less well. It is best to consume the vegetable cooked. If you have a salicylate intolerance, it is advisable to peel the bell pepper.

The capsaicin contained in bell peppers can also cause discomfort even in healthy people. This naturally occurring alkaloid causes a spicy or hot sensation in mammals as a reaction to certain receptors. In case of intolerance, nausea or burping may occur. Raw bell peppers have a higher capsaicin content than bell peppers sautéed in oil. This is because the alkaloid can only be reduced by oil with sustained, low heat. Orange and yellow bell peppers are also better tolerated.

Bell Peppers as a Substitute

Tomatoes are among the most popular vegetables but are often not well tolerated on a low-histamine diet. Bell peppers are therefore a delicious alternative and are excellent as a base for many dishes. If you are looking for a practical substitute for tomato paste, our vegan Organic Vegetable Spread Carrot & Beetroot is a good choice. It goes perfectly with sauces, soups, pizza, or casseroles and is suitable for a low-histamine, gluten-free, and lactose-free diet.

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Organic Vegetable Spread Carrot & Beetroot

Ideal as a spread, dip, pesto or marinade.

6,09 €

40,60 € / kg

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Lieferzeit: 2-3 Tage

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For dishes where tomato sauce is normally used, our vegan Organic Vegetable Sauce is a delicious alternative. It is completely free of tomatoes and is ideal for pasta, bolognese, or other Mediterranean dishes – naturally suitable for a low-histamine, gluten-free, and lactose-free diet.