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Histamine intolerance and weight problems

Weight plays a significant role in relation to histamine intolerance. Likewise, stress is often inextricably linked to histamine intolerance and can, among other things, lead to weight problems . Do you also have histamine issues and struggle to maintain your weight? Then feel free to read this blog post.

Histamine and weight

Stress causes the human body to store fat out of fear of falling into a period of starvation after a crisis. During this time, cravings for junk food also increase. In stressful situations, people tend to consume foods that lead to water retention in the tissues and thus weight gain . But the opposite can also be true: weight loss as a result of the human body no longer being able to digest food. And what does all this have to do with histamine?

Histamine intolerance and weight gain

What is the connection between histamine and weight gain? The neurotransmitter histamine is produced by white blood cells and mast cells in response to allergens, stress, and cold temperatures . This histamine release leads to symptoms such as hives, itching, shortness of breath, watery eyes, and a runny nose, as well as water retention and swelling.

This occurs due to an imbalanced gut and an overloaded liver . Unfortunately, we humans tend to develop cravings for precisely the things we are allergic to. In the case of histamine intolerance, one can speak of a histamine-allergy-addiction cycle that derails any diet.



On the one hand, the additives in histamine-rich foods and drinks promote feelings of happiness at the moment of consumption; on the other hand, the body craves precisely these chemicals, which it produces as a result of consumption. The increased heart rate resulting from histamine release leads to a state similar to that caused by the release of adrenaline .

After consuming large amounts of sugar and fat, the human brain produces opioids. However, this feeling quickly fades, and the body craves the same high, meaning more sugar and fat ( cravings ). According to a long-term study, the most addictive foods are...
  • certain types of flour
  • Fat such as sunflower oil
  • Wheat
  • Sugar
  • artificial sweeteners
  • Caffeine.

All foods either contain high levels of histamine, trigger histamine release, or reduce DAO production. Furthermore, it has been scientifically proven that compulsive eaters, like alcoholics, suffer from increased sensitivity and a reduced number of dopamine D2 receptors . It therefore seems plausible that certain foods are intended to increase dopamine levels.
Pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have a similar effect to histamine-rich foods. Both substances cause stress in the human body, as it is busy trying to eliminate the toxin. This stress leads to the release of histamine , which in turn can cause weight gain and swelling. Therefore, a low-histamine diet and the avoidance of pesticides are advisable to counteract weight gain.

INFO: It is recommended to choose organic, non-genetically modified foods. Farmers' markets or biodynamic farming cooperatives are a good option. Supermarkets also offer a wide range of organic products.

Histamine intolerance and weight loss

However, histamine intolerance not only leads to weight gain, but can also have the opposite effect. In some cases, the body appearance resembles that of anorexia . Those affected are often plagued by gastrointestinal symptoms such as loose stools, diarrhea , abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, or a feeling of fullness after eating.

Firstly, frequent, softer bowel movements mean that food and its nutrients can no longer be properly absorbed ; secondly, food intake is automatically reduced due to the frequent discomfort and the resulting loss of appetite.

The result is weight loss, which can vary in severity from person to person. A low-histamine diet usually brings improvement, as digestion normalizes, meals are tolerated again, and appetite increases. Reduced nutrient absorption and weight loss can also occur due to intestinal dysbiosis , small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) , or leaky gut syndrome.

Histamine intolerance and overweight/underweight — our conclusion

People tend to consume foods they are allergic to because they are addictive. How is this possible? We develop binge eating episodes because allergens promote the release of stress hormones that are addictive . The same applies to histamine. As a result, foods with a high histamine content are mistakenly favored.

These are usually foods high in sugar and fat, which can lead to weight gain. Symptoms of histamine release, such as water retention and swelling , can also occur . However, with a histamine intolerance, not only weight gain but also weight loss is possible.

In both cases, a low-histamine diet combined with investigating the underlying causes is effective in avoiding weight problems and other undesirable side effects of histamine intolerance.

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