Cottage Pie Histamine Information

Cottage pie, often referred to as shepherd's pie when made with lamb as opposed to beef, traditionally includes ingredients such as minced beef, onion, carrots, peas, and a mashed potato topping. When examining these ingredients in relation to histamine and its release in the body, none of them stand out as particularly high in histamine, nor are they known to significantly trigger histamine release, otherwise termed as histamine liberators. However, it's significant to note that any meat, if not fresh, could contain a higher amount of histamine as histamine levels can increase in foods that are stored for long periods or not sufficiently refrigerated (1). This includes minced beef used in cottage pie which, if not used promptly or stored correctly, might raise histamine levels. On the other hand, peas, an essential in many cottage pie recipes, have been suggested to lessen histamine levels in the body. They contain vitamin B6 and copper which can assist in breaking down histamine (2). The addition of onions also contribute their beneficial flavonoids known to have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects (3). In summary, a freshly prepared cottage pie, made with fresh ingredients, might not significantly impact histamine levels and could even provide some relief from histamine due to certain ingredients like peas and onions. However, the pie will need to be consumed soon after it's made and any leftovers must be stored properly to avoid raising histamine levels. References: 1. Maintz, Laura, and Natalija Novak. “Histamine and histamine intolerance.” The American journal of clinical nutrition vol. 85,5 (2007): 1185-96. 2. Khanzode, V. V., Apte, A. A., & Khanzode, S. D. (2013). Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in different stages of breast cancer. Free Radicals and Antioxidants, 3(1), 7–11. 3. Russo, M., Spagnuolo, C., Tedesco, I., Russo, G. L. (2012). Phytochemicals in cancer prevention and therapy: truth or dare?. Toxins (Basel), 2(4), 517–51.