Nasi Lemak Histamine Information

Nasi Lemak is a traditional Malaysian dish consisting mostly of rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, and is often served with a variety of accompaniments such as cucumber slices, small fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, hard boiled egg, and spicy sauce known as sambal. Starting off with the main ingredient, rice, it has been established that it does not contain or trigger the release of histamine, contributing no significant impact on histamine levels. Coconut milk, another primary component, has also shown no known effects on histamine levels or actions. The pandan leaf used significant impact on the overall histamine levels. The accompaniments or sides served with Nasi Lemak, however, may be potential sources or triggers of histamine. Particularly, the small fried anchovies are a fish product which are known to have high histamine content, especially if they are not fresh. Additionally, the sambal, a type of spicy sauce, can contain histamine depending on its ingredients with the most common being chilli, shrimp paste, shallots, and spices. Among these, shrimp paste could potentially contain high levels of histamine especially when improperly stored or if consumed past its shelf life, as it is a processed seafood product. Looking at the fresh cucumber slices, they have no reported effect on histamine content or release. The roasted peanuts that are commonly served with Nasi Lemak may slightly delay the breakdown of histamine, as peanuts, which are technically legumes, have been known to have this effect. Hard boiled eggs, again, have no reported effect on histamine content or action. It's worth mentioning, however, that a notable percentage of the population are allergic to eggs, a reaction that has been linked to a release of histamine, although the association is usually related to raw eggs, and less with cooked ones. The data for this fact sheet has been obtained from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Food Intolerance Network, and Histamine Intolerance Awareness websites. However, it is crucial to understand that individual reactions to food can vary significantly, and anyone suspecting a histamine-related issue should consult with a healthcare professional. In the absence of concrete studies directly related to Nasi Lemak, an understanding based on its comprising ingredients have been adopted. PW Jackson, "Rice: A High or Low Glycemic Index Food?", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999. Food Intolerance Network, "Histamine Intolerance", 2018. Histamine Intolerance Awareness, "Food List for Histamine Intolerance", 2016.