Egg Foo Young Histamine Information

Egg Foo Young, a Chinese omelette dish, made with various vegetables and usually with the option of adding meats, can impact histamine levels depending on its specific ingredients. Eggs are generally low in histamine and are not considered histamine liberators. An interesting attribute about eggs is that they often contain diamine oxidase (DAO), an enzyme that helps break down histamine in the body, and in effect, potentially assist in lowering histamine levels. A common ingredient in Egg Foo Young is mushrooms which tend to be high in histamine and are histamine liberators as well. Therefore, depending on the quantity used, mushrooms could offset the potentially histamine lowering effects of the eggs. When it comes to possible meats added, options like ham or other smoked meats posses a higher histamine content and can elevate histamine levels. The dish usually incorporates a variety of sauces and additives that contain vinegar, soy sauce, and various preservatives, all of which have high histamine content or are histamine liberators. Vinegar and soy sauce, for instance, are fermented products known for their high histamine levels. The net impact of Egg Foo Young on histamine levels would therefore depend on the exact combination and quantities of ingredients used. References: Clarke, G., Fitzgerald, P., Cryan, J. F., Cassidy, E. M., Quigley, E. M., & Dinan, T. G. (2009). Tryptophan degradation in irritable bowel syndrome: evidence of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activation in a male cohort. BMC gastroenterology, 9(1), 6. Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 85(5), 1185-1196.