Alcohol
Alcohol is high in Histamine. It also contains moderate levels of Tyramine. It has low levels of Gluten and Salicylate. If you're sensitive to any of these, check it against your profile before eating.
Intolerances
- Histamine (+liberators / DAO inhibitors)High
Alcohol is a problem even when the drink carries no histamine of its own: ethanol directly inhibits DAO, the enzyme that clears histamine, so whatever you eat alongside it hits harder. That is why a meal that is normally fine can trigger symptoms when there is a drink with it.
- TyramineModerate
Tyramine builds with time and bacterial action, so for these the lever is freshness and processing rather than the food itself: minced, smoked, pickled, sun-dried, pre-cut or long-simmered all mean more surface, more storage, or more bacterial contact. Bought fresh and eaten the same day, most of these are unremarkable. Sources: EFSA Journal 2011 (tyramine in fermented foods); McCabe-Sellers et al., J Food Compos Anal 2006.
- GlutenPossible
whether a drink contains gluten depends on its source — beer and malt drinks contain gluten, while wine and distilled spirits are gluten-free. Check the specific drink if you are sensitive to gluten.
- SalicylateLow
- FODMAPsNone
- LactoseNone
- FructoseNone
- OligosaccharidesNone
- SorbitolNone
- SucroseNone
- NickelNone
- OxalatesNone
Intolerance levels are based on our documented scientific sources. See sources →
React to Histamine (+liberators / DAO inhibitors)? Check these too
More in Drinks
- Alcohol free beer→
- Almond Milk→
- Apple juice concentrate→
- Beer→
- Black tea→
- Bread kvass→
- Cashew milk→
- Champagne→
- Coconut Milk→
- Coconut water→
- Coffee→
- Cognac→
Frequently asked questions
Which intolerances does Alcohol affect?
Alcohol is notable for Histamine, Tyramine, Gluten and Salicylate.
Does Alcohol contain Histamine?
Yes — Alcohol is high in Histamine. Alcohol is a problem even when the drink carries no histamine of its own: ethanol directly inhibits DAO, the enzyme that clears histamine, so whatever you eat alongside it hits harder. That is why a meal that is normally fine can trigger symptoms when there is a drink with it.
Does Alcohol contain Tyramine?
Alcohol contains moderate levels of Tyramine. Tyramine builds with time and bacterial action, so for these the lever is freshness and processing rather than the food itself: minced, smoked, pickled, sun-dried, pre-cut or long-simmered all mean more surface, more storage, or more bacterial contact. Bought fresh and eaten the same day, most of these are unremarkable. Sources: EFSA Journal 2011 (tyramine in fermented foods); McCabe-Sellers et al., J Food Compos Anal 2006.
Does Alcohol contain Gluten?
Alcohol contains only low levels of Gluten. whether a drink contains gluten depends on its source — beer and malt drinks contain gluten, while wine and distilled spirits are gluten-free. Check the specific drink if you are sensitive to gluten.
Does Alcohol contain Salicylate?
Alcohol contains only low levels of Salicylate. Amounts vary by brand and recipe, so always check the label of the exact product.