Granola Bars Histamine Information

Granola bars are popular snacks known for their convenience and perceived health benefits. However, their effect on histamine levels can vary depending on the specific ingredients they contain. Some granola bars are made with nuts, including almonds and walnuts, which can influence histamine levels. Nuts like these can potentially delay the breakdown of histamine, potentially exacerbating symptoms of histamine intolerance in susceptible individuals (1). Furthermore, walnuts and hazelnuts are also noted as histamine liberators, which, while not containing high levels of histamine themselves, can prompt its release (1). Certain fruit elements commonly incorporated into granola bars, such as strawberries, plums, citrus fruits, and pineapple, are also recognized as histamine liberators (2). This means they could induce the body to liberate more histamine, possibly resulting in increased allergic responses or other symptoms associated with elevated histamine levels. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that not all ingredients in granola bars will raise histamine levels. For example, oats, a primary component of many granola bars, are not listed among foods with high histamine content, those that delay histamine breakdown, or as histamine liberators. To date, there has been no definitive research categorizing granola bars as a whole as high in histamine, histamine liberators, or inhibitors of histamine breakdown due to the variable nature of their ingredients. It is thus advised to consider individual ingredients if a person is monitoring their histamine intake. References: 1. Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 85(5), 1185-1196. 2. Raithel M, et al. (2019). Histamine and histamine intolerance. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 85:1185-1196.