Wissenswertes

Fish and histamine: High in protein and low in histamine?

In this article, we take a closer look at fish from a histamine perspective. But is fish suitable for a low-histamine diet, or is it considered a high-histamine food?

Proteins are essential components of a balanced diet and are needed for building bones, organs, muscles, tissues, and body cells. They also contribute to a balanced immune system and the regulation of metabolic processes. However, too much protein can be harmful for those with histamine intolerance, as the naturally occurring substance histamine is derived from the amino acid histidine . Protein levels correlate with histamine levels because amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. High protein intake generally also means high histamine levels.

Fish and biogenic amines: Histamine symptoms

Raw fish, along with meat, is among the most perishable foods, which is why it is subject to microbiological testing for pathogens and germs such as salmonella and mold. Spoiled fish and meat therefore produce large quantities of biogenic amines . A low histamine content is considered an indicator of freshness, especially in fish . Biogenic amines like histamine, which are produced during the microbial spoilage of fish, are toxic to the human body.

Fish poisoning and histamine intoxication

Tests on commercial samples showed that freshly caught fish contains no significant amount of histamine. However, an interruption of the cold chain can stimulate bacterial histamine production. Increased bacterial activity and, consequently, increased histamine levels were found in spoiled fish. proven.

Fish poisoning, and thus histamine intoxication, is triggered by the bacterial breakdown of the amino acid histidine . In such cases, corresponding to a histamine level of at least 1000 mg, symptoms of poisoning occur – even in people without histamine intolerance.

Low-histamine and high-histamine fish

Does tuna contain a lot of histamine? And what about the histamine content of salmon? Certain types of fish can certainly be consumed as part of a low-histamine diet.

Cod fish and histamine