Tomato Sauce Histamine Information

Tomato sauce, prepared from fresh tomatoes or processed, has been identified as a product that contains histamine, thereby potentially affecting the histamine level in the body (1). Although the exact histamine level can vary depending on various factors such as the freshness of the tomatoes, preparation and storage methods, tomatoes and tomato-containing products like ketchup and pizza have been marked as foods with high histamine content. Following consumption, these could therefore potentially trigger a histamine response, especially for those with histamine intolerance (2). Moreover, tomato is also known as a histamine liberator. This means that, aside from containing histamine, tomatoes can also potentially stimulate the release of histamine stored in the body, further contributing to the overall histamine level (3). However, it's noteworthy to mention that not everyone reacts to foods with a high histamine content or histamine liberators the same way. Individual tolerance levels can significantly vary, partly influenced by the activity level of diamine oxidase (DAO), an enzyme responsible for breaking down histamine in the body. Conversely, it needs to be pointed out that no specific scientific research or data has demonstrated a direct correlation between consumption of tomato sauce and lowering histamine levels in the body. While certain foods and nutrients (like Vitamin C and B6, Omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics) have shown potential benefits in supporting histamine metabolism and breakdown, tomato sauce doesn't appear to fall into this category based on the current research available (4). (1) “Histamine and Histamine Intolerance,” American Society for Nutrition, May 2007 (2) “List of Histamine Foods,” Mast Cell 360, April 2021 (3) “Histamine’s Role in the body,” Healthline, February 2019 (4) “Foods to avoid with histamine intolerance,” WebMD, November 2019