Port Wine Histamine Information

Port wine, a type of fortified wine from Portugal, is known to be rich in histamines, which may impact histamine levels in your body. A study published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that red wines, including port, tend to contain higher amounts of histamines. This can lead to an increased histamine response, potentially resulting in symptoms such as headaches, flushing, and itchiness in individuals with histamine intolerance [1]. Furthermore, port wine contains alcohol which can inhibit the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO), which is responsible for breaking down histamine. This could potentially compound the histamine load in the body by delaying the breakdown of histamine [2]. Like red wine, port wine often contains sulfites, which are commonly mistaken as histamine liberators but the connection between these substances and histamine release is not well established [3]. In fact, a study published in the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology" suggested that sulfites might not induce histamine release in humans [4]. While port wine is a potential source of histamine and can delay the breakdown of histamine, no concrete evidence suggests it as a histamine liberator. It's also crucial to note that individual reactions to histamine-rich foods can vary greatly depending on multiple factors like gut health and genetics. Despite the potential histamine-inducing properties of port wine, no specific research has been conducted to determine if any of its ingredients may help lower histamine levels in the body. References: 1. Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 85(5), 1185-1196. 2. Wantke, F., Götz, M., & Jarisch, R. (1996). The red wine provocation test: intolerance to histamine as a model for food intolerance. Allergy Proceedings, 17(1), 23-29. 3. O'Keefe, J. H., Bhatti, S. K., Bajwa, A., DiNicolantonio, J. J., & Lavie, C. J. (2014). Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health: The Dose Makes the Poison…or the Remedy. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 89(3), 382–393. 4. M. Stratton, J., M. Ruddick, J., P. Riner, D. and E. Greenough Iii, W. (1983) Significance of sulphite sensitivity in disease. Can Med Assoc J, March 15; 128(6): 623–627.