Every spring, thousands of people suffering allergy al pole They begin a true obstacle career against sneezing, ocular itching, nasal congestion and general discomfort. In this context, it is common to find advice Nutritional that point to an alleged relationship between what comic and the intensity of symptoms allergic. Specifically, there is a widespread belief that argues that consuming food rich in histaminesuch as cured cheese, red wine or blue fish, the effects of the allergy al pole. But to what extent does this theory have a scientific basis?
“Although there are foods with variable levels of histamineit has not been shown that there are foods with harmful levels of histaminewhen they have adequate control and conservation, ”says Dr. María José Goikoetxea Lapress, vice president of the food Allergy Committee of the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (Jacket). Histamine is a molecule naturally present in the human body and in certain food. It is released as part of the immune response in people with allergies, causing symptoms such as inflammation, rednessitching or nasal secretion. Hence, the consumption of food rich in histamine With a possible aggravation of allergiesespecially seasonal ones. However, Goikoetxea It is sharp about it: “There is not enough scientific evidence to make this statement.”
“Although there are foods with variable histamine levels, it has not been shown that there are foods with harmful histamine levels”
On the other hand, although some people claim to experience adverse reactions after ingesting food Histamine, the available studies have not been able to establish a clear relationship between the enzymatic activity that metabolizes histamine and pathologies allergic. The enzyme responsible for its decomposition is the DAO (diaminoxidase), but according to Dr. Goikoetxea, “it has not been sufficiently demonstrated that the activity of the DAO influence allergic pathology. ”
Although there are individual differences in the activity of this heavycurrent studies are not broad or conclusive enough to justify changes dietary generalized in people allergic. “There are no broad and robust studies that confirm that the modulation of the activity of this enzyme is associated with pathology,” he says.
What foods contain histamine?
When talking about rich foods in histaminethe list usually includes fermented products such as cured cheese, sausage, wine, beer, chucrut, as well as some fruits and vegetables such as tomato or eggplant. But if there is a product that stands out for its content, that is the fish poorly preserved.
“The food with the greatest amount of histamine It is poorly preserved rubble fish, ”says the expert, referring to species such as tuna, mackerel or beautiful.“ In this type of fish, there is a degradation of an amino acid in which it is very rich, histidine, in histamine. Its consumption gives rise to a toxic reaction called debroidosis”, A food poisoning that has nothing to do with an allergy.
Does it make sense to follow a low histamine diet in spring?
In recent years, blogs, publications and plans have proliferated dietary that recommend avoiding rich foods in histamine during spring as a way of alleviating the symptoms of pollen allergy. However, from the clinical point of view, there is no basis that supports it. “There is no evidence to make this recommendation,” insists the vice president of the Food Allergy Committee of the Jacket.
Even the so -called ‘natural antihistamine foods’, such as some herbs or fruits, have not demonstrated sufficient efficacy to replace medical treatments. “The EQUINACEAfor example, it has some effect antihistamineHowever, the blocker effect of the receptors of the histamine that participate in the pathology allergic As polynosis is lower than the use of antihistamin drugs, ”he says Goikoetxea.
“There is no clinical evidence that justifies adjust the diet with the aim of reducing the symptoms of pollen allergy”
What can people do with pollen allergy?
The first, according to the expert, is not to get carried away by myths Nutritional and consult with a health professional before making drastic changes in the diet. “There is no clinical evidence that justifies adjust the diet with the aim of reducing allergy symptoms to pole”, Summarizes. The most effective advice is still the classics: follow the guidelines of the allergologist, avoid exposure to pollen in the maximum concentration hours, use exterior sunglasses, keep the windows closed during policy spikes and resort to treatments antihistamines o Immunotherapy If indicated.
Although the feeding It plays a fundamental role in our general health, there is no conclusive evidence that it can aggravate or improve the symptoms of allergy to allergy pole. Given the doubt, it will always be more effective to follow the medical advice than to trust miraculous recipes without scientific support.
