Miso Ramen Histamine Information

Miso Ramen, a popular Japanese dish, has several components that can potentially affect your histamine levels. Its primary ingredients typically include miso, noodles, broth, meat, and vegetables. Miso is a fermented soybean paste, and fermentation often leads to higher histamine levels. However, a study by Kinoshita, Kikuchi, Matsui, Kawai & Abe has demonstrated that certain varieties of miso, such as Shiromiso or Shinshumiso might contain relatively low histamine levels, as compared to other fermented foods (1). Ramen noodles, the mainstay of the dish, do not traditionally hold any significant histamine-related concern. Also, if the broth used in your Miso Ramen is freshly made and consumed promptly, it may not contribute significantly to the histamine content. However, an integral ingredient to take note of is the meat, such as pork or chicken. If it is cured or smoked, it is potentially high in histamines which contribute to increased histamine levels. Moreover, if the meat is not fresh or has been stored for a long time, liberation of histamines can occur (2). Vegetables are usually well tolerated, but if tomatoes are added, be aware that they are also known as histamine liberators. In conclusion, Miso Ramen, while not inherently high in histamine, could be problematic if it includes long-stored or cured meats, certain varieties of miso, and ingredients like tomatoes. The effects on an individual's histamine levels can vary depending on these factors. References: 1. Kinoshita, Kikuchi, Matsui, Kawai & Abe. (2017). Amounts of Histamine and Histamine-Related Compounds in Foods and Evaluation of Dietary Intake, Food Chemistry. 2. Maintz L, Novak N. Histamine and histamine intolerance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 May;85(5):1185-96. PMID: 17490952.