Couscous Salad Histamine Information

Couscous salad, a dish made primarily with couscous (a type of pasta), vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes, olive oil, and various seasonings, could result in diverse effects on histamine levels depending on the specific ingredients chosen during preparation. Starting with couscous itself, no considerable research has been found reporting its direct impact on histamine levels or its role as a histamine liberator. Similar observations can be made about cucumbers and olive oil used in the salad. However, if you include tomatoes in your couscous salad, it's essential to note that they are known to contain higher histamine content, which might increase overall levels of histamine (1). Seasonings could be another source of histamine variation. Yoghurt or vinegar-based dressings, for example, might increase histamine levels due to their high histamine content. In contrast, herbs such as thyme or oregano would not likely affect histamine levels significantly. The same salad could also serve to lower histamine levels if prepared with specific ingredients. For example, adding ingredients such as fresh parsley or basil could potentially offer anti-histaminic properties due to their quercetin content. Quercetin is a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that purportedly inhibits histamine release (2). However, it is crucial to emphasize the significance of individual food sensitivities. People vary in their reactions to foods, and some may tolerate a particular food more than others, regardless of histamine content or liberating potential. References: 1. Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(5), 1185-1196. 2. Weng, Z., Zhang, B., Asadi, S., Sismanopoulos, N., Butcher, A., Fu, X., ... & Theoharides, T. C. (2012). Quercetin is more effective than cromolyn in blocking human mast cell cytokine release and inhibits contact dermatitis and photosensitivity in humans. PloS one, 7(3), e33805.