Balsamic Vinegar Histamine Information

Balsamic vinegar, which is a vinegar variety extensively used in cooking, has potential implications on histamine levels within the body. Balsamic vinegar, like its other vinegar counterparts, inherently contains histamine [1]. As per dietary guidelines, foods rich in histamine or those that can stimulate histamine release can potentially exacerbate symptoms in individuals with histamine intolerance or sensitivity. Thus, it is safe to infer that balsamic vinegar can contribute to increasing histamine levels in individuals with such sensitivities. It’s important to note that the vinegar's fermentation process gives it a high histamine content which might lead to increase in histamine level. This makes it one of the foods to avoid or consume in moderation for those dealing with histamine-related issues [2]. However, there is insufficient research on balsamic vinegar acting as a histamine liberator or being involved in the delayed breakdown of histamine. The ingredients used in balsamic vinegar, mainly grape must (crushed grape juice with seeds, skin, and stems), do not inherently appear in lists of common histamine liberators or blockers of histamine breakdown. Despite this, varying individual reactions suggest a need for further research to conclusively understand the entire spectrum of balsamic vinegar's impact on histamine activity. Current understanding is based on the general properties of vinegars, and specific research on balsamic vinegar remains limited. References: 1. Maintz L, Novak N. Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007, (Vol. 85), No. 5, 1185–1196. 2. Warshow U et al. Treatment of histamine intolerance with a histamine-restricted diet and supplementary native galactaric acid from larch. BMJ Case Reports, Volume13, Issue3, 2020.