cilantro
Herbs & Spices
Is cilantro high in nightshades?
Find out whether cilantro is high or low in nightshades, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why nightshades food checker matters
Nightshades are a plant family including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. Some people find that avoiding nightshades helps with joint pain, digestive issues, or inflammatory conditions, though research is limited.
- Complete elimination for 30 days gives the clearest picture
- Watch for hidden nightshades in spice blends and sauces
- Paprika and cayenne are nightshades often overlooked
Triggers
Diets
Serving size, prep, and portion notes for cilantro
Cilantro is one of the cleanest fresh herbs for food sensitivities: low in histamine, low FODMAP, gluten free and clean on nickel, oxalates and sulfites. Its only measurable caveat is moderate salicylates, in line with most green herbs. The famous "cilantro tastes like soap" complaint is not an allergy or intolerance at all: it is a harmless genetic quirk in smell-receptor genes near OR6A2 that makes certain aldehydes in the leaf read as soapy.
Watch for
Moderate salicylates, the one real chemical caveat, so it is worth noting on a strict low-salicylate plan; and note that many common herbs, including parsley, basil and mint, run higher in salicylates than cilantro does / The soapy taste is genetics, not a reaction: an inherited variant near the OR6A2 olfactory-receptor cluster makes cilantro aldehydes smell soapy to roughly 4 to 14% of people, and it is completely harmless / True cilantro allergy exists but is uncommon, and it is a separate thing from the soapy-taste gene
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Nightshades Guide
Everything you need to know about nightshades sensitivity and smart food choices.
Nightshades are a plant family including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. Some people find that avoiding nightshades helps with joint pain, digestive issues, or inflammatory conditions, though research is limited.
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 Nightshades sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in nightshades and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Nightshades, consider these strategies:
- 1Complete elimination for 30 days gives the clearest picture
- 2Watch for hidden nightshades in spice blends and sauces
- 3Paprika and cayenne are nightshades often overlooked
- 4Sweet potatoes are NOT nightshades - they're safe
- 5Goji berries are nightshades
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is cilantro high in Nightshades?
Nightshades: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat cilantro if I'm sensitive to Nightshades?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Salicylates, Histamine, and Histamine Liberators next for a fuller picture.