Cannoli Histamine Information

Cannoli, a popular Italian dessert, typically constitutes a pastry shell filled with a sugar-sweetened mixture of cheese (often ricotta, but sometimes mascarpone). Its impact on histamine levels might be better understood when considering its key ingredients. Hard cheese, such as mascarpone, contains high levels of histamine, potentially causing symptoms in people with histamine intolerance ("Histamine and Histamine intolerance", 2007, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). Ricotta, on the other hand, is a soft fresh cheese and is generally considered to have lower histamine levels, though the exact amounts vary depending on the specifics of manufacture and storage (Maintz, Novak, "Histamine and Histamine Intolerance", 2007). Sugar, another ingredient of Cannoli, doesn't have a significant impact on the histamine level. No common sweeteners are known to liberate histamine or hinder histamine metabolism ("Histamine and Histamine Intolerance", 2007). The flour used in making the pastry shell of cannoli doesn't typically contain or release histamine either. However, if the filling or topping includes fruits like strawberries and citrus, it's pertinent to note that these are known histamine liberators ("Histamine content of foods: A compendium of literature values", Bohm, 2017, Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety). While the added flavours can vary widely in a cannoli, commonly used cocoa powder is a known histamine liberator. According to a study “Influence of cocoa intake on selection and absorption of protein in normal and malnourished children” (Calloway, Murphy, 1954, Journal of Nutrition) cocoa can release histamine in the body and delay the breakdown of it. In conclusion, depending on the specific recipe followed, cannoli may contain ingredients with high levels of histamine (hard cheese), liberate histamine (cocoa products, certain fruits), or have neutral effects (sugar, flour). However, these effects depend entirely on the individual’s susceptibility and sensitivity to histamine. Further targeted research would be required to quantify the exact impact of consuming cannoli on one’s histamine levels.