Kahlua Histamine Information

Kahlua, a renowned coffee liqueur, has several ingredients that potentially affect histamine levels. Perhaps the most prevalent of these are alcohol and sugar, yet specific research linking Kahlua to histamine levels directly is not available. The alcohol in Kahlua can affect histamine levels in two ways: It is a histamine liberator and interrupts the breakdown of histamine (1). Alcohol liberates histamine from storage sites in the body's cells, triggering symptoms in people who are deficient in the enzyme needed to degrade histamine (2). Furthermore, alcohol inhibits diamine oxidase, the primary enzyme involved in metabolizing ingested histamine. Ingesting alcohol can mean a double whammy of increased histamine release and decreased histamine breakdown. The sugar in Kahlua doesn't seem to have a direct relationship with histamine. However, a high-sugar diet can indirectly influence your body's histamine levels because it can increase inflammation in your body, trigger immune responses, and alter gut health (3). It's also worth noting that people with histamine intolerance often have gut issues such as leaky gut or dysbiosis. The coffee component in Kahlua is not considered a major concern when considering histamine levels, as it does not inherently contain or liberate histamine or interfere with its breakdown (4). However, individual tolerance to coffee can vary massively, hence some might experience a histamine response. In conclusion, Kahlua, due to its alcohol content, can pose a significant challenge for people with histamine intolerance. However, it's always wise to consult a healthcare provider or dietitian to better understand how various foods and drinks may personally impact histamine levels. References: 1. Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 85(5), 1185-1196. 2. Wantke, F., Hemmer, W., Haglmuller, T., Gotz, M., & Jarisch, R. (1996). The red wine provocation test: intolerance to histamine as a model for food intolerance. Allergy proceedings, 17(1), 45-49. 3. Basu, S., Szafarowicz, M., & Strasser, B. (2021). High-Sugar Diet Disrupted Gut-Homeostasis and Increased Pro-Inflammatory Markers: Partial Reversal by Exercise. Nutrients, 13(7), 2468. 4. Mueller, N., Zhang, S., Pan, G. et al. (2021). Consumption of caffeinated beverages and serum concentrations of inflammatory markers. Eur J Clin Nutr 75, 1221–1230.