Macchiato Histamine Information

A Macchiato is traditionally a small espresso-based drink with a dollop of frothed milk on top. The two main components, therefore, to consider in terms of histamine levels are the coffee and the milk. Starting with the coffee, studies have shown that it could have both stimulating and inhibiting effects on the histamine levels depending on the individual's intolerance. In people with histamine intolerance, coffee could potentially cause an increase (1). However, another study found that coffee can inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells, thereby potentially reducing histamine levels in the body (2). On the other hand, milk, in general, is a low histamine food. It does not naturally contain histamine nor does it release histamine when consumed (3). However, it contains lactose, which in certain individuals can provoke the same symptoms as histamine intolerance if they are lactose intolerant. Unfortunately, there isn't any scientific data on the exact impact of consuming a Macchiato on histamine levels. Each component has the potential to impact the histamine levels differently, and the overall effect would likely depend on individual factors like specific food tolerances and the body's ability to process histamine. 1. Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. American journal of clinical nutrition, 85(5), 1185-1196. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17490952/ 2. Kuehn, H. S., Gilfillan, A. M., & Gleich, G. J. (2017). Coffee, but neither decaffeinated coffee nor caffeine, has immunomodulatory effects on human T lymphocytes. Cellular immunology, 317, 53-60. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5481070/ 3. Jarisch, R., & Wantke, F. (2014). Wine and headache. International archives of allergy and immunology, 164(3), 162-167. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25278166/