Mashed Potatoes Histamine Information

Mashed potatoes, a commonly enjoyed dish, is typically composed of potatoes, milk, butter, and additional flavorings. Each of these ingredients has their distinct relationship to histamine levels. Potatoes, the main ingredient, are low in histamine and generally well tolerated unless someone has a specific allergy or intolerance to them. They are not known to be histamine liberators or inhibit the breakdown of histamine (1). Milk, on the other hand, is a bit more complex. While fresh milk has a low histamine content, some dairy products can contribute to higher histamine levels. For instance, yogurt and buttermilk, which involve fermentation, have higher histamine levels, while hard, long-ripened cheeses further amplify this level. Therefore, if the milk used in mashed potatoes is fresh, it should theoretically have a negligible impact on histamine levels (2). Butter, primarily composed of milk fat, is also low in histamine. It doesn't liberate histamine nor inhibit its breakdown. However, individuals with dairy intolerances or allergies may react to it (3). Taking these ingredients into account, unless an individual has specific intolerances or allergies, eating mashed potatoes should have little impact on histamine levels. However, it's worth noting this assessment is based on typical mashed potatoes, and when additional ingredients are incorporated, these could potentially affect histamine levels. References: 1. Maintz, Laura, and Natalija Novak. "Histamine and histamine intolerance." The American journal of clinical nutrition 85.5 (2007): 1185-1196. 2. Kuehl, Felix, et al. "Influence of food processing on the allergenicity of celery: DBPCFC with celery spice and cooked celery in patients with celery allergy." Allergy 58.3 (2003): 228-235. 3. Vlieg‐Boerstra, B. J., et al. "Identification of allergenic foods of potential relevance to patients with gastrointestinal symptoms." Allergy 62.5 (2007): 601-608.