Back to Tyramine food checker
ale

ale

Beverages

Is ale high in tyramine?

Tyramine status
High

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

Sensitivity notes

Why tyramine food checker matters

Tyramine is an amino acid that forms when proteins break down. It's found in aged, fermented, or spoiled foods. For people taking MAO inhibitors or those with tyramine sensitivity, it can cause headaches, elevated blood pressure, and other reactions.

  • Choose fresh over aged, fermented, or preserved foods
  • Eat protein foods fresh and store properly
  • Be especially careful if taking MAO inhibitor medications
  • Common high-tyramine foods include aged cheese, cured meats, and soy sauce
  • Ripeness affects tyramine - choose less ripe fruits

Sensitivities

What ale contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsLow
FructansModerate
GOSSafe
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineHigh
Histamine LiberatorsModerate
TyramineHigh

Plant compounds

SalicylatesHigh
OxalatesSafe
LectinSafe
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholModerate
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsLow

Additives

SulfitesModerate
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

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

Diet fit

Where ale fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineAvoid
Low SalicylateAvoid
Low Fermentation
EoE CompatibleAvoid
AIPAvoid
InflammationNo data
Reflux DietAvoid
Specific CarbohydrateAvoid
Low FibreFit
Gastroparesis DietAvoid

Lifestyle diets

VeganCheck
VegetarianCheck
PescatarianCheck
MediterraneanNo data
DASH DietCheck
PaleoAvoid
Whole30Avoid
KetoAvoid
Low-carbCheck

Religious diets

HalalAvoid
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainAvoid
Buddhist VegetarianAvoid
Orthodox FastingCheck
Ingredient notes

What to know about ale

Ale is top-fermented beer, and it stacks several triggers that make it harder on sensitive people than a plain drink of alcohol. Brewing it from barley means it contains gluten, the warm yeast fermentation raises histamine and tyramine, and the generous hopping that defines pale ales and IPAs pushes salicylates high as well. Alcohol itself also slows histamine breakdown, so if a pint leaves you with a stuffy nose, a flushed face or a next-morning headache, ale is delivering several reasons at once.

Watch for

  • Contains gluten because it is brewed from barley, a problem for coeliac and gluten-sensitive drinkers
  • High in histamine from yeast fermentation, and alcohol slows how fast you clear histamine, so reactions add up
  • High in tyramine, another fermentation by-product tied to headaches and MAOI diets
  • High in salicylates from the hops, which the hop-forward ales carry more of
Learn More

Tyramine Guide

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

Tyramine is an amino acid that forms when proteins break down. It's found in aged, fermented, or spoiled foods. For people taking MAO inhibitors or those with tyramine sensitivity, it can cause headaches, elevated blood pressure, and other reactions.

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 Tyramine sensitivity:

View all safe options

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

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

  • 1Choose fresh over aged, fermented, or preserved foods
  • 2Eat protein foods fresh and store properly
  • 3Be especially careful if taking MAO inhibitor medications
  • 4Common high-tyramine foods include aged cheese, cured meats, and soy sauce
  • 5Ripeness affects tyramine - choose less ripe fruits

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 ale high in Tyramine?

Tyramine: higher signal - consider smaller servings or swaps.

Can I still eat ale if I'm sensitive to Tyramine?

Best to avoid or test carefully with a small amount.

What else should I check?

Check Gluten, AIP, and EoE Compatible next for a fuller picture.