Barbecue Ribs Histamine Information

Barbecue ribs, predominantly comprised of pork with additional ingredients used for flavoring, potentially impact histamine levels in the body, though research specific to this food item is limited. Hence, one must consider the individual components constituting the dish. Pork meat by itself is not naturally high in histamine nor does it trigger histamine release. However, it is significant to note how the meat is processed and preserved often affects the histamine content. Smoked meat, for instance, carries a higher histamine level (Source: Pittayanon et al., 2020). A significant factor in BBQ ribs is the barbecue sauce which typically includes vinegar, tomatoes, and sometimes alcohol, all of which are known to have high histamine levels. Furthermore, vinegar and tomatoes are also identified as histamine liberators (Source: Schnedl et al., 2019), meaning they can stimulate the release of histamine in the body. As for products that can lower histamine levels, papaya and pineapple are often cited due to their enzymes, papain and bromelain respectively which help break down histamine (Source: Comas-Baste et al., 2020). If these are included in a meal with barbecue ribs, they may somewhat mitigate the histamine impact. In essence, while the smoked pork ribs themselves may not exhibit high histamine levels, additional ingredients utilized during preparation, especially the sauce, can significantly contribute to histamine levels. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding dietary concerns. References: Comas-Basté, O., Latorre-Moratalla, M., Sánchez-Pérez, S., Veciana-Nogués, M., Vidal-Carou, C. (2020). Histamine intolerance and dietary management: A complete review. Pittayanon, R., Lau, J. T., Leontiadis, G. I., Tse, F., Yuan, Y., Surette, M., ... & Lee, T. (2020). Differences in Gut Microbiota in Patients With vs Without Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review. Schnedl, W. J., Lackner, S., Enko, D., Schenk, M., Holasek, S. J., & Mangge, H. (2019). Evaluation of symptoms and symptom combinations in histamine intolerance.