Histamine functions and high-histamine food sources

Histamine is a biogenic amine that performs several fundamental physiological functions in the human body. According to the Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CUN), it acts as a neurotransmitter, participates in immune responses, and is involved in regulating the digestive and cardiovascular systems.

Key roles of histamine include facilitating immune system responses, regulating sleep, appetite, and alertness in the central nervous system, and stimulating stomach acid production to aid digestion. It also contributes to blood vessel dilation, blood pressure modulation, and the regulation of intestinal transit and muscle contractions in the digestive tract.

Histamine occurs naturally in many foods, particularly those that have undergone fermentation, maturation, or prolonged storage. High-histamine foods include cured fish, sausages, aged cheeses, wine, beer, and certain fermented vegetables. A condition known as histaminosis, or histamine intolerance, occurs when the body is unable to metabolize the substance effectively, leading to elevated blood levels.