Lemons Histamine Information

Lemons are among the citrus fruits widely known for their health benefits including high vitamin C content and antioxidant properties. Being a type of citrus fruit, lemons are often listed as potential histamine liberators, a type of food which, while not containing high levels of histamine themselves, can stimulate the release of histamine from immune cells in the body. However, the relationship between lemons and histamine levels is complex and not entirely clear-cut. Some resources argue that while citrus fruits like lemons can potentially liberate histamine in some individuals, they might not have this effect in others due to individual differences. Moreover, the effect of citrus fruits on histamine can also depend on the part of the fruit consumed. For example, the pulp and juice of these fruits are less likely to increase histamine compared to the peel. Interestingly, research also indicates that vitamin C, which is abundant in lemons, can help to lower histamine levels in the body. Vitamin C has been found to degrade histamine, potentially countering the histamine-liberating effect of lemons in some people. In terms of concrete evidence, it appears that more research is needed to definitively establish the effects of lemons on histamine levels. As such, if you notice symptoms of histamine intolerance after consuming lemons or citrus fruits in general, it may be beneficial to reduce your intake and monitor your symptoms. References: 1. Maintz L, Novak N. Histamine and histamine intolerance [published correction appears in Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Dec;86(6):1834]. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85(5):1185-1196. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/85.5.1185. 2. Comas-Basté O, Sánchez-Pérez S, Veciana-Nogués MT, Latorre-Moratalla M, Vidal-Carou MC. Histamine Intolerance: The Current State of the Art. Biomolecules. 2020;10(8):1181. Published 2020 Aug 10. DOI: 10.3390/biom10081181. 3. Johnston CS, Martin LJ, Cai X. Antihistamine effect of supplemental ascorbic acid and neutrophil chemotaxis. J Am Coll Nutr. 1992 Apr;11(2):172-6. DOI: 10.1080/07315724.1992.10718187.