What is Histamine Intolerance?
It’s your body’s inability to breakdown histamine which are naturally occurring in our foods, some more than others which lead to symptoms like headaches, skin irritations and stomach issues.
When your gut lining is damaged (leaky gut) it produce lesser amount of enzyme DAO(Diamine Oxidase) in the gut which is responsible for breaking down of histamine which causes build up and in turn worsen the symptoms.
Hence why many of you are probably experiencing symptoms like skin reactions, stomach issues and heandaches after drinking regular coffee.
The Difference Between Low Histamine Coffee and Regular Coffee
The way your coffee beans processed has more effects on the histamine levels that the beans itself.
Yes you read that right! Long roasting of coffee beans storage and fermentation raises the histamine levels of the beans.
3 in 1 instant coffees with added ingredients like flavourings and milk will worsen your symptoms.
What Makes a Low Histamine Coffee?
So, your best choice for low histamine coffee is choosing beans that are fresh, lightly roasted, and free from mold or fermentation byproducts.
How to Choose a Low Histamine Coffee?
Look for brands that test for histamines or mold, by opting for fresh-roasted, low-acid and small-batch coffees
Tips for shopping: look for brands that test for histamines or mold
Opt for fresh-roasted, low-acid, small-batch coffees
Recommended brewing methods: cold brew, French press
Best Low Histamine Coffee Brands:
1. Purity Coffee
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Why it’s great: USDA organic, third-party tested for mold, mycotoxins, and pesticides. Roasted to maximize antioxidants while minimizing contaminants.
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Roast options: Light, medium, dark, and decaf.
2. Fabula Coffee
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Why it’s great: Low acid, 100% organic, mold-free, and lab-tested for over 350 chemicals. Ideal for sensitive stomachs.
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Roast options: Light, medium, dark, and decaf.
3. Lifeboost Coffee
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Why it’s great: Single-origin, shade-grown, low acid, and third-party tested for over 450 toxins. Hand-picked and sun-dried for purity.
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Roast options: Light, medium, dark, and decaf.
4. Bulletproof Coffee
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Why it’s great: Tested for mold and toxins. Popular among keto and low-carb dieters.
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Roast options: Medium and dark.
5. Clean Coffee Co.
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Why it’s great: Equatorial blend from Papua New Guinea, roasted between medium and dark. Sun-dried and carefully processed to retain flavor.
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Roast options: Medium-dark.
Does decaf have less histamine?
Not necessarily—it’s more about how it’s processed than the caffeine content.
since decaf coffee is a process of removing caffeine from green coffee beans before roasting, the beans will still have a histamine buildup if they are roasted long enough.
Have Coffee cravings?
Always choose:
- high-quality organic beans that are locally roasted.
- lightly-roasted coffee
- Check for for mold in coffee beans
- Choose brands providing low histamine coffee
- BIG NO to packaged instant coffee
- If you can, grind the beans fresh everyday
- organic low-acid coffee
- swap for coffee for herbal teas
stay away from coffee while on your elimination diet, and introduce it back when your body is no longer have histamine intolerance symptoms.
People with histamine intolerance have reported to be on strict simple diets to keep their histamine in control and can enjoy their coffee after strict 3 months – 2 years of diet or when their body no longer reacting.
Healing takes time, you’re in it for the long run.
Be kind to your body. Brew gently, live fully.
