Rizogalo Histamine Information

Rizogalo is a Greek rice pudding typically consisting of rice, sugar, milk, cornstarch, and sometimes cinnamon or lemon zest for flavoring. The main ingredient of concern from a histamine perspective in the traditional recipe of Rizogalo is milk. Depending on the individual's sensitivity to dairy products, the lactose or casein in milk might behave as histamine liberators, promoting the release of excess histamine in the body (Luengpailin S, Mustafa S Kannan, I Begemann, B Popper, S Holzhauser, P Roder, M Koeberl, E Jensen-Jarolim, F Roth-Walter, K Szalai. Milk and Soy Allergy. Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology. 29. 2016). However, it is essential to mention that factors such as fermentation, long-term storage, or bacterial infestation tend to increase the histamine content in food, and these are typically not involved in the preparation of rizogalo (Maintz and Novak. Histamine and Histamine Intolerance, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007). When looking at potential ingredients that might lower histamine, studies indeed show cinnamon possesses anti-inflammatory properties which could counteract certain inflammatory responses in the body (Shen Y, Jie W, Zhou F, Li Z, Gong X, Wang Z. Anti-inflammatory Effect of Cinnamaldehyde in Helicobacter pylori Induced Gastric Inflammation. Biol Pharm Bull. 2015). In conclusion, while Rizogalo might invoke an elevated histamine response in individuals sensitive to dairy products, other factors such as the anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon and absence of fermentation or long-term storage in its preparation may help counterbalance its overall impact on histamine levels. However, varying degrees of histamine intolerance among individuals necessitate a personalized approach to dietary advice.