Back to Polyols food checker
cilantro
Herbs & Spices
Is cilantro high in polyols?
Is cilantro high or low in polyols? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
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Compare cilantro across criteria
Sensitivity notes
Why polyols food checker matters
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
- Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Sensitivities
What cilantro contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where cilantro fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about 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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Polyols Guide
Everything you need to know about polyols sensitivity and smart food choices.
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
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 Polyols sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in polyols and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Polyols, consider these strategies:
- 1Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- 2Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- 3Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- 4Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- 5Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
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 cilantro high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat cilantro if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Salicylates, Low Salicylate, and Low Fibre next for a fuller picture.