Flatbread Histamine Information

Flatbread, comprised mainly of flour, water, and salt, does not inherently contain high levels of histamine, nor does it appear to be a significant histamine liberator. Given that, it is generally considered a safe choice for those watching their histamine intake. Importantly, the manner of preparation and ingredients added to the flatbread might influence its histamine content. An instance worth considering is the case of yeast-based bread products. Yeast, used as a leavening agent, is known to be high in histamine (1). Thus, flatbread varieties, such as pitta or naan, that typically include yeast in their recipes, may inadvertently increase the overall histamine content of your diet. Flatbread toppings or fillings may also come into play. The topping can harbor a range of common high-histamine foods like tomatoes, certain types of cheese, smoked meat, or vinegar-based dressings (2). Therefore, while the impact of flatbread itself on histamine levels is minimal, a cautionary approach should be adopted when it comes to ingredient additions. As far as foods that lower histamine levels, findings suggest that vitamins C, B6, and the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) can aid in managing the body's histamine levels (3). Incorporating ingredients rich in these nutrients, such as bell peppers, garlic, and chicken (for B6 and DAO), might potentially buffer the overall histamine impact. However, it's pivotal to note these findings are fairly generic, based primarily on individual ingredients rather than whole food products. Hence, while they offer a guideline, these generalized facts might not represent the full nuances of histamine interactions in flatbreads. The full scientific research on this particular food item's impact on histamine levels is yet to be conducted comprehensively. (1) Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(5), 1185–1196. (2) Joneja, J. (2013). The Health Professional’s Guide to Food Allergies and Intolerances. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (3) Kuehn, I. (2021). Histamine-Reducing Foods, Food Lists and Meal Plan. Healthline.