kimchi
Condiments & Sauces
Is kimchi high in nightshades?
Is kimchi high or low in nightshades? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
Related checkers
Compare kimchi across criteria
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
- Sweet potatoes are NOT nightshades - they're safe
- Goji berries are nightshades
Sensitivities
What kimchi contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where kimchi fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about kimchi
Kimchi is one of the most layered food triggers going, which is why a spoonful can set off symptoms fast. As a long-fermented cabbage it is very high in histamine and tyramine and it also acts as a histamine liberator, then it piles on the chilli that makes it a nightshade, the garlic and onion that make it high in fructans, and free glutamate from the ferment. People search whether kimchi causes headaches, flushing or a racing heart, and with this many triggers in one jar the answer is often yes.
Watch for
- Very high in histamine and a histamine liberator on top of that, a strong driver of flushing, headache and hives
- High in tyramine from the long ferment, relevant for MAOI diets and fermented-food migraines
- Contains chilli, so it counts as a nightshade, and the garlic and onion push it high in fructans (a FODMAP)
- Fermentation raises free glutamate, which can add to the umami-food reactions some people get
Explore related in Condiments & Sauces
Compare similar foods to build a personalized list of swaps that work for your system.
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.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is kimchi high in Nightshades?
Nightshades: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat kimchi if I'm sensitive to Nightshades?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check Histamine, Histamine Liberators, and Tyramine next for a fuller picture.