Papaya
Other names papaw, pawpaw
Papaya: moderate in histamine; low in salicylate. If you're sensitive to any of these, check it against your profile before eating.
Intolerances
- Histamine (+liberators / DAO inhibitors)Moderate
Papaya is a liberator and carries papain, the enzyme that gives it the same tenderising reputation as pineapple. The unripe green fruit holds far more of it than the ripe orange one, which is the one variable you can act on - ripe papaya is the gentler form. It is one of the five fruits the current review names as reported to trigger the release of endogenous histamine, and the review says plainly that the mechanism responsible has not yet been elucidated.
Sources· 3
- Maintz & Novak, Am J Clin Nutr 2007
- Zuberbier et al., EAACI/GA2LEN urticaria guideline
- Comas-Basté O. et al., Biomolecules 10:1181 (2020), for the five fruits reported to release endogenous histamine and for the mechanism being unelucidated
- SalicylateLow
Ripe papaya is low; the unripe green fruit used in salads is higher, since salicylates concentrate in underripe produce.
- TyramineNone
- SucroseNone
- FODMAPsNone
- LactoseFODMAPsNone
- OligosaccharidesFODMAPsNone
- SorbitolFODMAPsNone
- FructoseFODMAPsNone
- NickelNone
- OxalatesNone
- GlutenNone
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 papaya affect?
Papaya is notable for histamine and salicylate. Clear on tyramine, sucrose, FODMAPs, lactose, oligosaccharides, sorbitol, fructose, nickel, oxalates and gluten.
Does papaya contain histamine?
Papaya contains moderate levels of histamine. Papaya is a liberator and carries papain, the enzyme that gives it the same tenderising reputation as pineapple. The unripe green fruit holds far more of it than the ripe orange one, which is the one variable you can act on - ripe papaya is the gentler form. It is one of the five fruits the current review names as reported to trigger the release of endogenous histamine, and the review says plainly that the mechanism responsible has not yet been elucidated.
Does papaya contain salicylate?
Papaya contains only low levels of salicylate. Ripe papaya is low; the unripe green fruit used in salads is higher, since salicylates concentrate in underripe produce. Amounts vary by brand and recipe, so always check the label of the exact product.
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