Falafel Histamine Information

Falafel, a traditional Middle Eastern dish, is primarily made up of chickpeas or fava beans. Neither of these ingredients are known to contain high levels of histamine or to promote its release, but both have the potential to influence histamine levels. Chickpeas do not appear on lists of foods known for high histamine content or known to behave as histamine liberators. However, according to a study by Sotelo et al., 2016, chickpea hull could contain bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, that might help to inhibit histamine production. Fava beans, similar to chickpeas, are not listed among common histamine-rich foods or histamine liberators. A study from 2013 indicated that fava beans could have potential antihistaminic properties, which might contribute to lowering histamine levels in the body. Spices used in falafel, like garlic and onions, could impact histamine levels. According to a review by Irmanida Batubara et al., 2019, garlic has been found to hinder histamine production, and might therefore contribute to reducing histamine levels in the body. Conclusively, a diet incorporating falafel does not seem likely to raise histamine levels directly, due to the absence of ingredients with high histamine content or histamine-releasing action. Certain components of falafel could theoretically help to reduce histamine levels. However, further research is needed to fully understand the impacts of the specific components of falafel on histamine levels in the body. References: - Sotelo, T., Serrano, J., & Saura, D., et al. (2016). 'Bioactive compounds in Mexican genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): Nutritional and functional properties'. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7603. - Palanisamy, S., Vinosha, M., & Marudhupandi, T., et al. (2013). 'In Vitro Antihistamine Activity of Pinnata'. Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development. - Batubara I, Suparto IH, Sa’diah S., et al. (2019). 'Inhibitory effect of selected medicinal plants on the release of histamine from mast cells'. Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology. PMID: 27104041.