Black Tea Histamine Information

Black tea, a rich source of polyphenols, is known not only for its refreshing taste but also for its impact on the human body's histamine levels. Several studies indicate that the polyphenols present in black tea might inhibit histamine release from mast cells, therefore potentially lowering histamine levels in the body. However, it's important to take into account that black tea also falls under the category of foods that can delay the breakdown of histamine. Since histamine is broken down by enzymes in the body, delay in this process could potentially increase or prolong the effects of histamine. This suggests that while the polyphenols in black tea could help inhibit histamine release, the overall impact of black tea on histamine levels depends on individual metabolic processes and the body's ability to break down histamine. Further intricacy is added by the fact that black tea is also known to contain caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the release of adrenaline, a hormone that can inhibit the release of histamine. Yet, individual reactions to caffeine can vary drastically, and in some cases, caffeine might actually exacerbate symptoms of histamine intolerance. While the investigation on the exact impact of black tea on histamine levels continues, the current research suggests that the relationship is complex with multiple factors at play. It must be emphasized that the research on this topic is still evolving, and the effects of black tea on histamine levels can be influenced by numerous factors including individual biological variations, the overall diet, and lifestyle. References: 1. Lee, Jae H., et al. “Regulatory Effects of Black Tea Polyphenol Extracts on the Key Enzymes Relevant to Metabolic Syndrome.” Food Science and Nutrition, vol. 4, no. 6, 2016, pp. 913–921., doi:10.1002/fsn3.354. 2. Maintz, Laura, and Natalija Novak. “Histamine and Histamine Intolerance.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 85, no. 5, 2007, pp. 1185–1196., doi:10.1093/ajcn/85.5.1185. 3. Ramsay, Rona R., et al. “Inhibition of Mitochondrial Monoamine Oxidase Activity by Caffeine and Its Metabolites.” Biochemical Pharmacology, vol. 38, no. 6, 1989, pp. 965–970., doi:10.1016/0006-2952(89)90166-2.