Turkey Breast Histamine Information

The impact of eating turkey breast on histamine levels might come as a surprise. Turkey, like many poultry products, is generally considered to have low histamine content, and often recommended as a safer option for those with histamine intolerance. Indeed, turkey breast is often preferable over other types of meat that might trigger histamine response, such as smoked meats, pork, and certain kinds of fish. However, the processing methods and the freshness of the turkey could significantly influence its histamine levels. For instance, the longer the turkey is stored after being slaughtered, the higher the histamine content, due to bacterial action. Smoked or cured turkey products could also have higher histamine content due to the process and preservatives involved, but turkey breast that is freshly cooked and stored properly, in general, is low in histamine. On the other hand, it is also important to note that turkey, as a protein, could potentially act as a histamine liberator. Protein-rich foods can stimulate the release of gastric acid, which in turn may stimulate histamine release. However, such a response is highly individual and depends largely on the person's level of histamine intolerance and how the body responds to protein intake. It's also noteworthy that turkey is a good source of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which plays a vital role in supporting the activities of enzymes that degrade histamine. Therefore, regular consumption could potentially help in reducing excess histamine levels in some people. Overall, the response to turkey can also be highly individual depending on each person's histamine and protein tolerance. The evidence on the topic is not robust and it is necessary to always remember that with histamine intolerance, individual responses can vary greatly. References: 1. Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 85(5), 1185-1196. 2. Kovacova-Hanuskova, E., Buday, T., Gavliakova, S., & Plevkova, J. (2015). Histamine, histamine intoxication and intolerance. Allergologia et Immunopathologia, 43(5), 498-506. 3. Joneja, J. M., & Carmona-Silva, C. (2001). Outcome of a histamine-restricted diet based on chart audit. Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, 11(4), 249-262.