Béarnaise Sauce Histamine Information

Béarnaise Sauce is a popular French sauce, primarily made of clarified butter, egg yolks, white wine vinegar, and flavored with herbs. It is often served with steak or other meats. Starting with the key ingredient, clarified butter, it is generally considered as safe for people with histamine intolerance. It contains minimal to no lactose or casein, which are common histamine triggers in those with sensitivities (1). Egg yolks, another crucial part of the béarnaise sauce, are also ordinarily low in histamine content and are less likely to cause a histamine reaction (2). White wine vinegar, on the other hand, can potentially trigger histamine reactions. Vinegar is a product of fermentation, a process that is known to be high in histamine and might cause issues for those with histamine intolerance (3). Therefore, having béarnaise sauce in large amounts could potentially lead to an increase in histamine levels due to this ingredient. The herbs used to flavor béarnaise sauce are tarragon and shallots. Generally, fresh herbs like tarragon are considered safe for people with histamine intolerance, as they are far less likely to stimulate a histamine reaction (4). Similarly, shallots are not listed amongst food items that liberate histamine or hinder its breakdown (5). Therefore, one could potentially conclude that béarnaise sauce is low in histamine overall, except for the white wine vinegar component which could elevate histamine levels. It may be safe to consume for individuals with mild histamine intolerance. But those with severe histamine sensitivity might want to avoid or limit their intake of béarnaise sauce. However, it's essential to note that individual tolerance to foods can vary. Even foods considered 'safe' might cause reactions in some people. Therefore, it's advised to pay attention to individual responses and work with a healthcare professional when modifying the diet to manage histamine intolerance. 1. Aware of Food. (n.d.). Clarified Butter Vs Regular Butter. [Online] Available at: https://awareoffood.com/nutrition/clarified-butter-vs-regular-butter/ 2. Histamine Intolerance Awareness. (n.d.). Foods to Avoid. [Online] Available at: https://www.histamineintolerance.org.uk/about/the-food-diary/the-food-list/ 3. Maintz, Laura, and Natalija Novak. “Histamine and histamine intolerance.” The American journal of clinical nutrition vol. 85,5 (2007): 1185-96. doi:10.1093/ajcn/85.5.1185 4. Michigan Medicine University of Michigan. (n.d.). Low-Histamine Diet. [Online] Available at: https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/low-histamine-diet 5. Ferguson, Lynette R, et al. "The human alimentary tract bacterial community and allergies." Forum of nutrition vol. 61 (2007): 91-101. doi:10.1159/0000107143