Spanakopita Histamine Information

Spanakopita, a popular Greek dish traditionally consisting of spinach, feta cheese, eggs, and phyllo pastry, has the potential to impact histamine levels due to its ingredients. The main ingredient, spinach, is not typically on the list of high histamine or histamine liberating foods. However, it might cause reactions in certain individuals who are sensitive to it. Spinach can contain high levels of histamine especially when not fresh, improperly stored, or reheated. As for feta cheese, long-ripened and aged cheese are known to contain higher levels of histamine. Feta is generally fresh cheese and is not considered high in histamine. Yet, everyone's tolerance differs and consistency of feta cheese may vary, inducing histamine reactions in some individuals. Eggs, another main ingredient, are not considered high in histamine. However, they could act as a histamine liberator, which encourages the release of stored histamine in the body. As a result, consumption could cause a reaction for some individuals. Lastly, the phyllo dough used in spanakopita is typically free of high histamine ingredients. However, yeast (a common ingredient in many baked goods) which can be high in histamine, does not usually constitute the makeup of phyllo pastry. Based on the aforementioned ingredients, the consumption of spanakopita could potentially raise histamine levels. However, the impact is likely to vary depending on individual tolerance, ingredient freshness, and preparation method. Please note, this product and its impact on histamine levels may not have been thoroughly researched. Further studies could yield more precise information. As such, this content should not replace professional medical advice. References: - Advanced Histamine Intolerance Guide (Maintz & Novak, 2015) - Histamine and Histamine Intolerance (Maintz & Novak, 2007) - Biogenic amines in foods and beverages (Halász & Baráth, 1999)