Chocolate

Category: OtherOther names: Theobroma cacao, Cocoa solids

Chocolate is high in Histamine and Nickel. It also contains moderate levels of Tyramine, Salicylate and Oxalates. It has low levels of FODMAPs, Lactose and Sucrose. If you're sensitive to any of these, check it against your profile before eating.

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To avoid
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Moderate
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Watch

Intolerances

Intolerance levels are based on our documented scientific sources. See sources

React to Histamine (+liberators / DAO inhibitors)? Check these too

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Frequently asked questions

Which intolerances does Chocolate affect?

Chocolate is notable for Histamine, Nickel, Tyramine, Salicylate, Oxalates, FODMAPs, Lactose and Sucrose.

Does Chocolate contain Histamine?

Yes — Chocolate is high in Histamine. cocoa and chocolate are histamine liberators and also block DAO, the enzyme that clears histamine, a double problem for sensitive people. The darker and more cocoa-rich, the stronger the effect on histamine.

Does Chocolate contain Nickel?

Yes — Chocolate is high in Nickel.

Does Chocolate contain Tyramine?

Chocolate contains moderate levels of Tyramine. This is a weak entry and worth saying so: chocolate, cocoa, nuts, citrus and coffee appear on legacy MAOI lists, but modern reviews found their tyramine too low to matter at normal portions — chocolate's effect, if any, is attributed to phenylethylamine rather than tyramine. They were dropped from the strict list decades ago. Test rather than avoid on principle. Sources: Gardner et al., J Clin Psychiatry 1996 (review that narrowed the MAOI diet); McCabe-Sellers et al., J Food Compos Anal 2006.

Does Chocolate contain Salicylate?

Chocolate contains moderate levels of Salicylate. Amounts vary by brand and recipe, so always check the label of the exact product.