Back to Glutamates food checker
damson plum

damson plum

Fruit

Is damson plum high in glutamates?

Glutamates status
Safe

Is damson plum high or low in glutamates? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.

Sensitivity notes

Why glutamates food checker matters

Glutamates, including MSG, are flavor enhancers found naturally in many foods and added to others. Some people report sensitivity causing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms, though research on 'MSG syndrome' is mixed.

  • MSG goes by many names - look for 'glutamate' on labels
  • Naturally high in soy sauce, fish sauce, and aged cheeses
  • Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in glutamates
  • Yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins contain glutamates
  • Fresh, unprocessed foods are generally lower

Sensitivities

What damson plum contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsHigh
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseModerate
PolyolsAvoid
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsSafe
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

SalicylatesSafe
OxalatesSafe
LectinSafe
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsModerate

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenSafe
EggSafe
PeanutSafe
Tree NutsSafe
SoySafe
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameSafe
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelSafe

Diet fit

Where damson plum fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineFit
Low SalicylateFit
Low FermentationSafe
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPFit
InflammationCheck
Reflux DietCheck
Specific CarbohydrateFit
Low FibreCheck
Gastroparesis DietCheck

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanCheck
DASH DietCheck
PaleoFit
Whole30Fit
KetoAvoid
Low-carbCheck

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainFit
Buddhist VegetarianFit
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about damson plum

Damson (Prunus insititia) is the small, blue-black, mouth-drying plum that almost nobody eats raw. It exists to be cooked into jam and damson cheese, or drowned in sugar and gin. Its trigger story is short and loud: damson sits at the worst grade on our polyol scale, the sorbitol family of FODMAPs, and grades high FODMAP overall with a moderate amount of free fructose. Everything else is quiet. No histamine, no histamine liberation, no oxalate, no sulfites, no nickel and no nightshade involvement, so if damsons cause you trouble, sorbitol is very likely the whole answer.

Watch for

  • Worst grade on the polyol scale.Sorbitol is exactly why stone fruit has a laxative reputation, and damson carries more of it than the everyday plum does
  • Moderate excess fructose stacking on top, so the two poorly absorbed sugars arrive together
  • Damson jam and damson cheese are the fruit boiled down several times over.Per spoonful the sorbitol is far denser than in the fresh fruit, and the sugar added alongside does not dilute the trigger, it just hides the tartness
  • Sloe-style damson gin is not a way around this.The fruit steeps for months and the water-soluble sugars, sorbitol included, move into the liquid you drink. A sweet damson liqueur carries the fruit chemistry with it, plus the alcohol
  • Salicylate grades clean here, which is unusual for a dark-skinned tart plum where the common plum grades moderate.If salicylates are your suspected trigger, treat that particular grade as low confidence and test it on yourself rather than relying on it
Learn More

Glutamates Guide

Everything you need to know about glutamates sensitivity and smart food choices.

Glutamates, including MSG, are flavor enhancers found naturally in many foods and added to others. Some people report sensitivity causing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms, though research on 'MSG syndrome' is mixed.

Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.

These foods are generally well-tolerated for Glutamates sensitivity:

View all safe options

These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:

These foods are high in glutamates and may trigger symptoms:

View full list

If you're sensitive to Glutamates, consider these strategies:

  • 1MSG goes by many names - look for 'glutamate' on labels
  • 2Naturally high in soy sauce, fish sauce, and aged cheeses
  • 3Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in glutamates
  • 4Yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins contain glutamates
  • 5Fresh, unprocessed foods are generally lower

Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.

Want personalized tracking?

Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.

Get the App

FAQ

Is damson plum high in Glutamates?

Glutamates: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat damson plum if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Polyols, FODMAPs, and Keto next for a fuller picture.