Bourbon Histamine Information

Bourbon, a type of American whiskey, is composed primarily of water, grain, and yeast. The grain component primarily includes corn, rye, and barley which undergoes fermentation along with the yeast to produce alcohol. Bourbon itself does not contain histamine and is unlikely to significantly elevate histamine levels on its own. However, it is important to note that alcohol, a key component in bourbon, has been reported to inhibit the enzymatic degradation of histamine. But, it mostly happens in the case of heavy alcohol consumption. Moderate consumption might not have a significant effect on histamine levels (1). Alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms of histamine intolerance and can act as a histamine liberator. A study "Alcohol Intolerance in Adults with Allergy" published in American Journal of Medicine has shown that alcohol can cause the release of histamine from stomach cells, potentially leading to increased histamine levels in the body (2). Hence, bourbon could have an indirect impact on histamine levels in those who are sensitive. Contrarily, certain ingredients like corn have been reported to potentially lower histamine levels but there are no generalized conclusions on this. In summary, the effect of consuming bourbon on histamine levels isn't due to the bourbon itself. Rather, it's based on the potential effects of alcohol as a histamine liberator, and its interference with histamine degradation. Bourbon intake should be moderate, especially for those with histamine intolerance. Please note that this analysis is largely dependent on the ingredients typically present in bourbon and how these ingredients interact with histamine. As more focused research on bourbon and its specific effect on histamine levels is sparse, the most accurate description is: "This product has not been researched well enough to publish any specific information. Our team is working hard on this. Data will be available soon." References: 1. Maintz, Laura, and Natalija Novak. "Histamine and histamine intolerance." The American journal of clinical nutrition 85.5 (2007): 1185-1196. 2. Kuehl, F A, and P H Bentley. "Alcohol intolerance in adults allergic to aspirin." The American journal of medicine 60.2 (1976): 275-283.