Is There a Low Histamine Mustard You Can Enjoy with Histamine Intolerance?

Who doesn’t enjoy the spicy taste of mustard? Are you on the hunt for a low-histamine mustard? Well, hold on to your taste buds, because we’re about to dive into the world of mustard and find out if there’s a low-histamine option for you to enjoy if you love the taste of this tongue-tingling condiment.

Many people with histamine intolerance ask about the histamine content of mustard and whether it’s likely to trigger histamine intolerance symptoms. They’re looking for an alternative to ketchup for foods like burgers. If you have histamine intolerance, you know that ketchup is not a low-histamine food, since tomatoes are high in histamine.

So, let’s dig deeper and see if mustard is an acceptable condiment if you have histamine intolerance.

Some Condiments Are Problematic if You Have Histamine Intolerance

Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical found in certain foods, which can trigger allergic-like reactions. Too much histamine also triggers symptoms in individuals with histamine intolerance. ₍₄₎

Since you don’t break histamine down as easily as people without histamine intolerance, you must watch your diet more closely than someone who does. This means choosing low-histamine foods and foods that don’t liberate histamine from mast cells, a type of immune cell. ₍₂₎

Some condiments, like ketchup, are especially problematic if you have histamine intolerance, as tomatoes are a food that can raise your body’s histamine levels. Tomatoes contain some histamine but also act as histamine liberators.

Therefore, if you’re in the low-histamine club, you might wonder if mustard fits the bill and whether it’s a good substitute for high-histamine condiments, like ketchup. Also, find out whether pesto is low histamine.

_{Low Histamine Mustard: What You Should Know}

Manufacturers make mustard from mustard seeds, vinegar, water, and various spices. Although mustard seeds aren’t high in histamine, manufacturers add spices to mustard for more flavor. Some of these spices are problematic if you have histamine intolerance.

Manufacturers may craft mustard using a variety of spices. Some of the most common are turmeric, paprika, and garlic. Turmeric, a common spice used in Indian and Thai cooking, is low in histamine and has anti-inflammatory effects. ₍₃₎

Therefore, turmeric is usually not a problem if you have histamine intolerance and may even be beneficial, as it helps reduce inflammation.

Garlic, in moderation, is also not a problem for most people with histamine intolerance, especially in the small amounts you get when you eat mustard.

Paprika, especially smoked and spicy paprika, however, is more problematic if you have histamine intolerance.

The capsaicin in spicy or hot paprika can irritate your gut lining and increase your body’s histamine level. Read more about high-histamine spices. However, the amount of each of these spices differs depending on the specific brand or recipe. Therefore, some mustard brands are safer than others.

_{Which Commercial Mustards Are Low Histamine?}

If you have histamine intolerance, choose mustard with minimal ingredients or without additional spices. These types of mustards may have a lower histamine content compared to more complex and spicier variations.

If you’re hunting for a low-histamine mustard, there are some things to keep in mind. First, check the ingredient list and opt for mustards with fewer added spices or additives. Simple is the name of the game.

A number of people have told me Heinz 100% Natural Yellow Mustard doesn’t aggravate their histamine intolerance symptoms. According to their description, the ingredients are ₍₁₎:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Mustard seeds
• Water
• Salt
• Turmeric
• Natural flavors and spices

The only ingredients of concern are the natural flavors and spices. They don’t list what spices and flavorings are part of this blend and since the formula may be proprietary, they may not tell you even if you ask. However, these are the last ingredients, so they’re in the product in small amounts.

Another Option: Make Your Own Low Histamine Mustard

You can also make your own mustard at home. This way, you have complete control over the ingredients and can customize it to your liking while minimizing histamine triggers.

Here’s a simple guide to making low-histamine mustard at home:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup yellow or brown mustard seeds (choose the type that works best for you)
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar or rice vinegar (low histamine options)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• Additional low-histamine spices or herbs for flavor (optional)

Instructions:

• Place the mustard seeds in a bowl and cover them with water.
• Let them soak for at least 4 hours or overnight. This helps soften the seeds and make them easier to blend.
• After soaking, drain the mustard seeds and rinse them thoroughly with water.
• In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked mustard seeds, vinegar, water, and salt (if using). Blend the mixture until you get a smooth consistency.
• Taste the mustard and adjust the flavors according to your preference. Add more water, or spices to suit your taste buds. Just choose low-histamine spices or herbs.
• Transfer the low-histamine mustard into a clean jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Allow the mustard to sit at room temperature for about 1 to 2 hours to let the flavors meld together.
• After the resting period, give your homemade low-histamine mustard a taste test. Adjust the flavors as needed.
• Voila! You have low-histamine mustard to enjoy! Store the mustard in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. It should keep well for several weeks.

By making your own low-histamine mustard at home, you control the ingredients and can tailor it to your specific needs. So, grab those mustard seeds, blend away, and enjoy a delicious and histamine-friendly condiment for your meals!

Making mustard is straightforward and you can do it at home using basic kitchen equipment. Be prepared to experiment with different ingredients and ratios until you find the ideal combination for your taste.

But make sure the spices you add to your mustard are low histamine.

The Quest for a Low Histamine Mustard

Now that we’ve covered mustard basics, it’s time for you to hit the condiment aisle and embark on your low-histamine mustard quest or take the step of making your own low-histamine mustard at home.

Keep your eyes peeled for simple ingredient lists and experiment with different brands or even whip up your own batch at home. You can customize it to suit your tastes.

And don’t forget to keep a food diary and record what you eat and your symptoms. Remember, it’s all about finding what works best for you and your taste buds. If you like dipping pretzels in mustard, discover whether pretzels are low in histamine.

It’s worth noting that everyone’s tolerance to histamine can vary, so what works for one person may not work for another.

And remember, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian who specializes in histamine intolerance to get personalized advice and guidance as you navigate through the murky waters of histamine intolerance. Happy mustard hunting!

References:

1. 100% Natural Yellow Mustard – Products – Heinz®. Heinz.com. Published 2023. Accessed July 7, 2023. https://www.heinz.com/products/00013000002189-100-natural-yellow-mustard/

2. Hrubisko M, Danis R, Huorka M, Wawruch M. Histamine Intolerance-The More We Know the Less We Know. A Review. Nutrients. 2021 Jun 29;13(7):2228. doi: 10.3390/nu13072228. PMID: 34209583; PMCID: PMC8308327. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34209583/

3. Amalraj, A., Varma, K., Jacob, J., Divya, C., Kunnumakkara, A., Stohs, S., & Gopi, S. (2017). A Novel Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Formulation Improves Symptoms and Diagnostic Indicators in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Two-Dose, Three-Arm, and Parallel-Group Study. Journal of medicinal food. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2017.3930.

4. Comas-Basté O, Sánchez-Pérez S, Veciana-Nogués MT, Latorre-Moratalla M, Vidal-Carou MDC. Histamine Intolerance: The Current State of the Art. Biomolecules. 2020 Aug 14;10(8):1181. doi: 10.3390/biom10081181. PMID: 32824107; PMCID: PMC7463562.

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