Madras Curry Histamine Information

Madras Curry, a potent blend of herbs and spices often used in Indian cuisine, can potentially influence histamine levels in an individual. Distinct ingredients in Madras Curry, such as tomatoes and cinnamon, tend to have a noticeable effect on histamine in the body. Tomatoes, being a high histamine food, have a known impact on increasing histamine levels. This is because they naturally contain higher levels of histamine, which when consumed, can increase the overall histamine level in the body (Stanikunaite, Z., Zokaityte, E., and Lele, V., 2020, "Histamine concentration in fresh and processed tomatoes"). Cinnamon, on the other hand, is a common spice in Madras Curry and it has a different relationship with histamine. Specifically, cinnamon has been identified as a potential histamine liberator. It does not contain histamine itself, but it may stimulate the release of histamine from other cells in the body leading to an increased overall level of histamine (Maintz L, Novak N., 2007 "Histamine and histamine intolerance," The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). It's important to note, however, that Madras Curry can also include ingredients such as turmeric and coriander, which are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Although definitive research on turmeric's impact on histamine levels is limited, preliminary research suggests that it may help lower inflammation in the body (Jagetia GC., Aggarwal BB., 2007, "Spicing up" of the immune system by curcumin," Journal of Clinical Immunology). Overall, eating Madras Curry may potentially increase histamine levels due to the presence of high-histamine ingredients like tomatoes, and histamine liberating ingredients like cinnamon. However, these effects can be variable depending on the specific ingredients used in preparing the curry, individual tolerance levels, and the overall diet.