Amines are produced by bacteria during food storage and fermentation and found in a wide variety of foods.
Though there are many types of amines, histamine is most frequently associated with food-related intolerances.
Histamine is a chemical in the body that plays a role in the immune, digestive and nervous systems.
It helps protect the body from infection by creating an immediate inflammatory response to allergens. This triggers sneezing, itching and watery eyes in order to potentially excrete harmful invaders (22).
In people without an intolerance, histamine is easily metabolized and excreted.
However, some people are not able to break down histamine properly, causing it to build up in the body.
The most common reason for histamine intolerance is impaired function of the enzymes responsible for breaking down histamine — diamine oxidase and N-methyltransferase (23).
Symptoms of histamine intolerance include (24):
- Flushing of the skin
- Headaches
- Hives
- Itching
- Anxiety
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Low blood pressure
People with an intolerance to histamine should avoid foods high in this natural chemical, including:
- Fermented foods
- Cured meats
- Dried fruits
- Citrus fruits
- Avocados
- Aged cheeses
- Smoked fish
- Vinegar
- Soured foods like buttermilk
- Fermented alcoholic beverages like beer and wine
SUMMARYHistamine is a compound that can cause symptoms like itching, hives and stomach cramps in people who are unable to properly break down and excrete it from the body.
FODMAPs is an abbreviation that stands for fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols (25).
They are a group of short-chain carbohydrates found naturally in many foods that can cause digestive distress.
FODMAPs are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and travel to the large intestine, where they are used as fuel for the gut bacteria there.
The bacteria break down or “ferment” the FODMAPs, which produces gas and causes bloating and discomfort.
These carbohydrates also have osmotic properties, meaning they draw water into the digestive system, causing diarrhea and discomfort (26).
Symptoms of a FODMAP intolerance include (27):
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
FODMAP intolerances are very common in people with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.
In fact, up to 86% of people diagnosed with IBS experience a reduction in digestive symptoms when following a low-FODMAP diet (28).
There are many foods high in FODMAPs, including:
- Apples
- Soft cheeses
- Honey
- Milk
- Artichokes
- Bread
- Beans
- Lentils
- Beer
SUMMARYFODMAPs are a group of short-chain carbohydrates found in a wide array foods. They can cause digestive distress in many people, especially those with IBS.
Sulfites are chemicals that are primarily used as preservatives in foods, drinks and some medications.
They can also be found naturally in some foods like grapes and aged cheeses.
Sulfites are added to foods like dried fruit to delay browning and wine to prevent spoilage caused by bacteria (29).
Most people can tolerate the sulfites found in foods and beverages, but some people are sensitive to these chemicals.
Sulfite sensitivity is most common in people with asthma, though people without asthma can be intolerant to sulfites as well.
Common symptoms of sulfite sensitivity include (30):
- Hives
- Swelling of the skin
- Stuffy nose
- Hypotension
- Flushing
- Diarrhea
- Wheezing
- Coughing
Sulfites can even cause airway constriction in asthmatic patients with sulfite sensitivity, and, in severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening reactions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that the use of sulfites must be declared on the label of any food that contains sulfites or where sulfites were used during the processing of food (31).
Examples of foods that may contain sulfites include (32):
- Dried fruit
- Wine
- Apple cider
- Canned vegetables
- Pickled foods
- Condiments
- Potato chips
- Beer
- Tea
- Baked goods
SUMMARYSulfites are commonly used as preservatives and can be found naturally in certain foods. People who are hypersensitive to sulfites can experience symptoms like stuffy nose, wheezing and low blood pressure.
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