gochujang
Condiments & Sauces
Is gochujang high in polyols?
Is gochujang 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.
Related checkers
Compare gochujang 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 gochujang contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where gochujang fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about gochujang
Gochujang is a Korean fermented paste built from chili powder, fermented soybean, glutinous rice and salt, sweetened with barley malt or added sugar and aged for months. It stacks several triggers at once, which is why it can flatten someone who handles plain chili or plain soy sauce separately. Nightshade is its highest rating, because gochugaru is the backbone of the paste rather than a garnish. The long fermentation pushes both histamine and tyramine high and generates a lot of free glutamate. The barley malt and wheat mean it grades as a gluten-containing food rather than a gluten-free one, which surprises people who assume a chili paste is naturally safe. On top of that it rates poorly for low-fermentation and SIBO plans, with moderate FODMAP and fructan loads from the grain and sweeteners.
Watch for
- Most gochujang is not gluten free.Traditional recipes use barley malt powder to drive the sweetening step and many commercial jars add wheat flour outright, so it grades as a gluten-containing food. Certified gluten-free versions do exist, but you have to look for the certification rather than assume it.
- Top of the scale on nightshade.Gochujang is largely gochugaru by volume, so a tablespoon in a marinade is a far bigger capsicum dose than a shake of chili flakes, and it is a common reason a nightshade elimination fails without anyone noticing why.
- High on both histamine and tyramine after months of fermentation.That combination is worth flagging if fermented foods give you flushing, hives or headaches, and the tyramine load is the one to raise with your prescriber if you take an MAOI.
- High in free glutamate from the fermented soybean, and plenty of brands add MSG as well.If umami-dense sauces reliably bring on head or facial symptoms, this is one of the strongest glutamate sources in a typical fridge.
- Rated poorly for low-fermentation and SIBO protocols, with moderate FODMAP and fructan content from the rice, malt and added sugars, so a generous spoonful is doing more to a sensitive gut than the heat alone would suggest.
Explore related in Condiments & Sauces
Compare similar foods to build a personalized list of swaps that work for your system.
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 gochujang high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat gochujang if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Nightshades, AIP, and EoE Compatible next for a fuller picture.