Is Camu Camu High in Histamine? A Low-Histamine Diet Deep Dive

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to scientific findings, camu camu fruit extract has demonstrated the ability to inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells in lab settings, suggesting it does not contribute to high histamine loads in the body. For those managing histamine intolerance, understanding whether common supplements or superfoods like camu camu are safe is a critical part of dietary management.

Quick Summary

Camu camu is generally considered a low-histamine food, and research indicates it possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may help modulate histamine responses. Individual tolerance is key, especially with processed powders, which may contain triggers for some sensitive individuals. This fruit can serve as a potent, low-histamine source of vitamin C.

Key Points

Low Histamine Status: Camu camu is recognized as a low-histamine food and a safe vitamin C source for many with histamine intolerance.
Anti-Allergic Action: Research indicates that compounds in camu camu can inhibit histamine release and block histamine receptors, functioning as a natural antihistamine.
Immune Support: The berry is extremely rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, offering significant immune and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Individual Tolerance: Personal reactions to camu camu can vary, so it is crucial to test your own tolerance with a small dose.
Consider Other Sensitivities: For some, a reaction to camu camu might be linked to its salicylate content rather than histamine.
Choose Pure Products: Opt for pure, organic powder to avoid preservatives like sulfites that can be a histamine trigger.

Demystifying Histamine Intolerance

Histamine intolerance is a condition where the body struggles to break down histamine effectively, leading to a buildup that can cause symptoms like headaches, hives, digestive issues, and nasal congestion. The primary enzyme responsible for metabolizing histamine is diamine oxidase (DAO), and impaired DAO function is often the culprit. A key strategy for managing symptoms is adopting a low-histamine diet, which focuses on fresh foods and avoids aged, fermented, or processed items high in histamine. This brings into question the safety of many popular supplements and superfoods, including the Amazonian berry, camu camu.

Camu Camu: A Nutritional Profile and Potential Impact on Histamine

Camu camu, a small, tangy berry from the Amazon, is celebrated for its exceptionally high vitamin C content, which far surpasses that of many other fruits. This makes it a popular supplement choice, often in powdered form, for boosting immunity and antioxidant intake. Aside from vitamin C, camu camu contains a rich array of polyphenols and other antioxidants, like flavonoids and anthocyanins. These compounds play a crucial role in the body's inflammatory and immune responses, which is directly relevant to managing histamine.

The Direct Evidence: Is Camu Camu High in Histamine?

Based on available research, camu camu is not considered a high-histamine food. On the contrary, several studies suggest it may have beneficial effects for those with histamine issues:

Low-Histamine Status: Multiple expert sources and health blogs catering to histamine intolerance explicitly list camu camu as a low-histamine source of vitamin C, making it a valuable dietary addition.
Mast Cell Inhibition: A study demonstrated that camu camu fruit extract inhibited the release of histamine and other inflammatory markers from mast cells, which are key players in allergic and histamine-related reactions. This indicates a mast-cell-stabilizing effect.
Receptor Blockade: The extract was also found to block the activation of histamine H1 and H4 receptors, mirroring the action of commercial antihistamine drugs.
Histamine Synthesis Inhibition: Camu camu was shown to inhibit histidine decarboxylase (HDC), the enzyme that synthesizes histamine, providing a multi-pronged approach to regulating the body's histamine load.

Navigating Camu Camu with Histamine Intolerance

Adding camu camu to your regimen should be done thoughtfully, keeping a few key points in mind to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Source Quality: Prioritize high-quality, pure organic camu camu powder. Processed or dried fruit products sometimes contain preservatives, such as sulfites, which are known histamine liberators for some individuals.
Dosage and Monitoring: Start with a small dose to test your personal tolerance. Your reaction may differ from others based on your specific sensitivities. Keeping a food diary can help you track any potential symptoms.
Watch for Salicylate Sensitivity: It is important to note that camu camu contains salicylates. Some people with histamine intolerance also have sensitivities to salicylates, which can cause similar inflammatory reactions. If you react to camu camu, it could be the salicylates, not histamine, that are the issue.

Low-Histamine Vitamin C Sources Comparison Table

When seeking alternatives or complementary sources of vitamin C, understanding the histamine profile of different foods is critical. Here's a comparison:


Source	Histamine Profile	Vitamin C Content (per 100g)	Other Histamine/Sensitivity Factors	Best for Histamine Intolerance?
Camu Camu (Powder)	Low histamine; potentially anti-histamine properties.	Up to 5500mg (powder).	High in salicylates; choose pure organic powder.	Yes, generally a great option.
Bell Peppers (Yellow)	Low histamine.	Up to 183mg (raw).	No known histamine-related issues; an excellent fresh food source.	Yes, highly recommended.
Broccoli	Low histamine.	Up to 89mg (raw).	No known histamine-related issues; a well-tolerated vegetable.	Yes, highly recommended.
Citrus Fruits (Oranges)	High histamine liberator.	Up to 53mg (raw).	Can trigger histamine release in sensitive individuals.	No, best to avoid.
Strawberries	High histamine liberator.	Up to 59mg (raw).	Causes mast cells to release histamine.	No, best to avoid.
Pineapple	High histamine liberator.	Up to 48mg (raw).	Can trigger histamine release.	No, best to avoid.

Conclusion: Camu Camu as a Low-Histamine Asset

In conclusion, the claim that camu camu is high in histamine is inaccurate based on current scientific understanding. Evidence suggests that not only is it a low-histamine food, but its extract may also actively reduce histamine release from mast cells and block histamine receptors, providing a potential benefit for those with histamine intolerance. Its impressive vitamin C and antioxidant content make it a valuable nutritional addition to a low-histamine diet. However, the importance of purchasing a pure, unprocessed product and listening to your own body's signals cannot be overstated. By carefully integrating camu camu and monitoring your personal reaction, you can potentially enjoy its impressive health benefits while effectively managing your histamine intolerance. Always consult a healthcare provider before introducing new supplements, especially if you have complex health concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, camu camu is generally considered a low-histamine food. It is frequently recommended as a high-vitamin C source for individuals following a low-histamine diet, unlike citrus fruits.

No, research suggests the opposite. A study found that camu camu fruit extract decreased the release of histamine from mast cells, indicating it has anti-allergic properties rather than acting as a histamine liberator.

For many, yes. It is a potent source of vitamin C without the high histamine content of many other fruits. However, because each person's sensitivity is unique, it's best to introduce it slowly and observe your personal reaction.

Pure, organic camu camu powder is recommended. This minimizes the risk of consuming preservatives or additives that can trigger histamine release, unlike some processed or dried fruit products.

Yes, it's possible. Camu camu contains other compounds, such as salicylates, which some individuals are sensitive to. A reaction might be due to salicylate intolerance rather than histamine.

Camu camu has an exceptionally high concentration of vitamin C, making it one of the most potent natural sources available. Other low-histamine options like bell peppers and broccoli also provide vitamin C but in lower amounts.

Yes, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes or introducing new supplements, especially if you have histamine intolerance or other health conditions.