Tomatoes and histamine: Are tomatoes suitable for a low-histamine diet?

The tomato belongs to the nightshade family. Especially in Italian, the tomato is also called "golden apple". It is closely related to bell peppers, eggplants, and potatoes and originates from Central and South America. Its branches can reach an impressive length of 4 meters. Tomatoes grow from yellow flowers, appearing green at first and later taking on a different color depending on the variety. The so-called berry fruit is usually red. However, there are also yellow, green, and orange tomatoes in various shapes such as round, heart-shaped, or egg-shaped. They can be used in many ways, for example, for pizza, salads, casseroles, burgers, sauces, or soups. Tomatoes have been part of European culture since the 15th century. Their taste is both sweet and sour.

The inside of a tomato consists of 90-95% fruit water. Tomatoes provide 13 to 19 kcal of energy, contain 1.9 to 4% carbohydrates, 0.2 to 0.7% fat, and 0.7 to 1.2% protein. Additionally, tomatoes contain 0.5 to 0.7% minerals and 0.3 to 0.7% organic acids. This nightshade plant is very rich in potassium with 250mg/100g. The following nutrients are also found in tomatoes:

While tomatoes and tomato products contain only small amounts of histamine, they are not suitable for a low-histamine diet. This is because tomatoes are classified as histamine liberators, meaning they release histamine in the gut. This histamine is stored in basophils in the blood and in mast cells and can trigger critical symptoms in people with histamine problems.

The histamine content in tomatoes varies depending on their freshness. Fresh tomatoes contain less histamine than tomatoes that have been stored in the refrigerator for longer. Tomatoes themselves are more tolerable in a low-histamine diet than tomato products, but should be avoided if possible.

Products made from tomatoes are less tolerable than the berry fruit itself. Therefore, tomato paste, in addition to pureed tomatoes and ketchup, is less tolerable for a low-histamine diet than fresh tomatoes.

Less tolerable tomato products for a low-histamine diet also include dried tomatoes. The reason for this is the long storage of dried foods, which significantly increases their histamine content.

If you are looking for an alternative to tomato paste for a low-histamine diet, our vegan Organic Vegetable Spread Carrot & Beetroot is a delicious option. It is excellent as a base for pizza, tarte flambée, sauces, or casseroles and adds a pleasantly spicy note with carrot, beetroot, and bell pepper to many dishes.

For dishes where tomato sauce would otherwise be used, our vegan Organic Vegetable Sauce is an ideal alternative. It is completely free of tomatoes and suitable for a low-histamine, gluten-free, and lactose-free diet. Whether pasta, bolognese, lasagna, or other Mediterranean dishes – with its combination of bell pepper, beetroot, carrot, and Italian herbs, it provides full flavor, completely without tomatoes.