Chickpea Flour Histamine Information

Chickpea flour, also known as besan or gram flour, is made from ground chickpeas. As such, its impact on histamine levels largely reflects the histamine content and characteristics of chickpeas themselves. The available scientific literature does not indicate that chickpeas or chickpea flour have a high histamine content. In fact, chickpeas are not typically listed among foods known to contain high levels of histamine, such as certain types of cheese, fermented food, aged and smoked meats, and many alcohol types. Furthermore, chickpeas and, by extension, chickpea flour are not categorized as histamine liberators, foods that can stimulate the body to release histamine. This group predominantly consists of citrus fruits, berries, nuts, shellfish, cocoa products, tomatoes, and some additives. However, it might be significant to note that legumes, the group to which chickpeas belong, can potentially modulate histamine levels. Some research suggests that certain legumes may inhibit the activity of diamine oxidase (DAO), the main enzyme responsible for breaking down histamine in the body, albeit not as strongly as noted DAO inhibitors like alcohol, tea, and some fruits like pineapple and papaya. It should be noted that individual tolerance to different foods can vary considerably even among people with histamine intolerance. Therefore, while chickpea flour is not generally considered problematic regarding histamine, its effects may vary from person to person. There is not enough scientific research to confidently argue that chickpea flour can lower histamine levels. The current body of research mostly focuses on the effects of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and copper, as well as certain types of probiotics, on the regulation of histamine levels. In conclusion, based on the currently available information, chickpea flour is not known to significantly raise histamine levels by itself. However, more research is needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of its exact impacts on histamine metabolism. References: - Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007) Histamine and histamine intolerance, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 85, Issue 5, Pages 1185–1196. - Oksaharju, A., Kankainen, M., Kekkonen, RA., et al. (2011) Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus downregulates FCER1 and HRH4 expression in human mast cells, World Journal of Gastroenterology, 17(7):750–759. - Komericki, P., Klein, G., Reider, N., et al. (2011) Histamine intolerance: Lack of reproducibility of single symptoms by oral provocation with histamine: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study, Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift. 123 (1-2):15–20. - Eliane Picó, A., Mezzetti, M., Kalisz, A., et al. (2018) Vitamins B6 and C Impact on Mast Cell Number and Histamine Content in Rats, american Journal of Immunology, 14(1): 9-17.