Although peanuts are not nuts but legumes, caution is advised when consuming them. Although the fruits are not poisonous, they contain a particularly high proportion of histamine. Storing dried peanuts increases this proportion even further.
Why can peanuts cause histamine intolerance?
Peanuts contain a high proportion of histamine, which can trigger intolerance or allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms of a peanut allergy may include headache, hives, difficulty swallowing, sneezing, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath.
Peanuts contain a lot of histamine
Even though peanuts are not nuts but are legumes, unlike raw beans, they are not poisonous.
The fact that peanut fruits are not tolerated by some people and dogs is due to their high histamine content.
Allergy sufferers who develop severe allergies when eating walnuts, hazelnuts or cashews also have an allergic reaction to peanuts.
Allergic reactions to peanuts
In mild cases, the affected person only suffers from headaches, nausea or diarrhea. In severe cases, the condition can become life-threatening because the airways become swollen. The allergy sufferer can no longer breathe.
Common Peanut Allergy Symptoms:
- Headache
- Hives on the skin
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sneezing
- Nausea until vomiting
- Shortness of breath
Affected people should seek medical treatment immediately if they accidentally eat peanuts. To be on the safe side, you should always carry an antihistamine (€7.00 on Amazon) with you to neutralize the histamine in the body. A cortisone preparation should also be carried to treat swelling.
Recognizing histamine intolerance
Some people don't know that they cannot tolerate the histamine contained in peanuts.
If you feel a slight burning sensation on your tongue when eating legumes, you have to sneeze more often or suffer from stomach cramps, this could be an indication of an intolerance.
A visit to the doctor is recommended to clarify any histamine intolerance.
Peanuts are contained in many food products
From chocolate cake to the finished muesli mix – many finished products contain peanuts or even minimal traces of them.
Even small amounts can cause life-threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock in allergy sufferers.
It is advisable to read the information on the packaging carefully to avoid risks. It's even better to avoid ready-made products altogether and put together your own muesli or bake your own cake.
Tips & Tricks
Histamine cannot be removed from peanuts by heating or other methods. Allergy sufferers must therefore avoid roasted or boiled peanuts.
