Back to Tyramine food checker
sumac

sumac

Herbs & Spices

Is sumac high in tyramine?

Tyramine status
Safe

Find out whether sumac is high or low in tyramine, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all 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

Triggers

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsLow
FODMAPsSafe
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
GlutenSafe
LactoseSafe
Dairy ProteinsSafe
NightshadesSafe
SalicylatesModerate
OxalatesLow
NickelSafe
SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesLow
TyramineSafe
CaffeineSafe
LectinSafe
Low FermentationSafe

Diets

GlutenFit
InflammationFit
VeganFit
VegetarianFit
Paleo AIPFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
EoE CompatibleFit
FODMAPsFit
Low FermentationFit
Priority ingredient notes

Serving size, prep, and portion notes for sumac

Sumac is the dried, ground berry of Rhus coriaria, and it is the reason so much Levantine food tastes bright without a drop of citrus anywhere in it. That is exactly why it matters on this site. Lemon and lime both grade D as histamine liberators, so when flushing, hives or a headache follow anything sour, the acid is usually not the culprit, the citrus is. Sumac delivers the same tart lift at histamine A and only B as a liberator, which is why it turns up as the recommended replacement for lemon on several pages here. It is otherwise a clean spice: no gluten, no lactose, no nickel, no sulfites, no nitrites, no tyramine, and A across all four FODMAP subgroups. Its single meaningful grade is a moderate C on salicylates. And to settle the question everyone asks first: the red spice is not poison sumac.

Watch for

Moderate salicylate (C) is the one real flag. A restrained dusting over labneh is small, but fattoush and heavily sumac-crusted meat use it by the tablespoon, and that is where salicylate-sensitive eaters notice it / It is a downgrade from citrus, not a zero. Sumac still grades B as a histamine liberator, so if your histamine threshold is very low it belongs in the test-it-alone pile rather than the free-food pile / Ground sumac is very often cut with salt, and some brands add citric acid to sharpen the sourness. Check the label if you are tracking sodium or additives, because the filler can outweigh the spice / Zaatar is the most common way people eat sumac, and the mix brings company: thyme and oregano push the salicylate load higher, and most commercial blends contain sesame, which is a top allergen in its own right / Colour is a tell. Good sumac is a deep, dull brick red and slightly damp from its natural oils. Bright, uniformly scarlet powder usually means dye or a heavy salt cut

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 sumac high in Tyramine?

Tyramine: low signal for most people.

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

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Salicylates, Histamine Liberators, and Oxalates next for a fuller picture.