Cashews are often incorrectly called nuts, even though they are stone fruits. In people with histamine intolerance, the cashew fruits native to Brazil can cause allergy-like symptoms similar to those caused by nuts. The reason is the high histamine content that the kernels release.
Why shouldn't people with histamine intolerance eat cashews?
Cashews can cause allergy-like symptoms in people with histamine intolerance because they release high levels of histamine. Those affected should therefore avoid consuming cashew nuts in order to avoid symptoms such as stomach pain, headaches or a runny nose.
High histamine content in cashews
Histamine is contained in almost all foods in varying concentrations. Some foods, including cashews, release particularly high levels of histamine.
Most people can easily digest this substance, which is created when a protein building block is broken down. Some can tolerate at least small amounts, while others should not eat cashews at all.
In case of intolerance, more or less severe symptoms occur.
Have histamine intolerance checked by a doctor
Whether someone is suffering from an intolerance can only be found out by a doctor. Diagnosis is made through blood and stool tests.
If the result is positive, those affected should avoid eating cashews altogether.
Common complaints after eating cashew nuts
- Stomachache
- Flatulence
- Headache
- Nausea
- Itching
- Sniffles
The symptoms caused by eating the seeds are similar to the symptoms of an allergy. They are usually not life-threatening, but can be very unpleasant.
Affected people usually cannot tolerate yeast products, cheese, nuts, smoked foods or other foods that have been preserved.
Cashews are slightly poisonous when raw. The fact that they are roasted after harvest and thus preserved at the same time increases the histamine content.
Cashews are slightly poisonous
Cashew fruits in particular contain a high proportion of the toxic oil cardol. If it comes into contact with mucous membranes, it causes severe burns.
Some of the toxic oil is also in the kernels. They must be treated before consumption to break down the toxins. If eaten raw, they can cause symptoms of poisoning.
The kernels are roasted, fried or heated in another way. The poison is neutralized by the heat. The kernels only get their aromatic taste when heated. However, the roasting process also releases more histamine.
Tips & Tricks
Alcohol, coffee, cocoa, tea and energy drinks prevent the breakdown of histamine in the body. This can increase the concentration in the blood and worsen the symptoms. To be on the safe side, you should avoid these drinks if you want to eat cashews.