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soy sauce
Condiments & Sauces
Is soy sauce high in tyramine?
Is soy sauce 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.
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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 soy sauce contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where soy sauce fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about soy sauce
Most people are surprised that standard soy sauce is brewed with wheat, so it grades as containing gluten and is not safe for celiac disease. On top of that it is fermented, which makes it very high in histamine and high in tyramine, the trigger that matters if you take an MAOI medication or get migraines from aged and fermented foods.
Watch for
- Brewed with wheat, so ordinary soy sauce contains gluten and is not celiac-safe (look for a certified gluten-free tamari instead)
- Very high in histamine from fermentation, a frequent flushing and headache trigger
- High in tyramine, relevant on MAOI medications and for tyramine-driven migraines
- A processed condiment that grades high in nitrites and pro-inflammatory
Explore related in Condiments & Sauces
Compare similar foods to build a personalized list of swaps that work for your system.
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:
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These foods are high in tyramine and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
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 AppFAQ
Is soy sauce high in Tyramine?
Tyramine: higher signal - consider smaller servings or swaps.
Can I still eat soy sauce if I'm sensitive to Tyramine?
Best to avoid or test carefully with a small amount.
What else should I check?
Check Histamine, Gluten, and Soy next for a fuller picture.