Foods rich in tyramine (cautions and contraindications)

Tyramine is a substance derived from the amino acid tyrosine, found mainly in fermented and aged foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, wine, beer, dried or salted meats.

Furthermore, tyramine is also found in excellent quantities in foods such as soy sauces, and blue cheeses, brie, cheddar, roquefort, gorgonzola and parmesan, for example.

Tyramine participates in the production of catecholamines, neurotransmitters that control blood pressure. Thus, high levels of tyrosine in the body can cause increased blood pressure, headache and blurred vision.

Main foods rich in tyramine

The main foods rich in tyramine are:

• Breads, pastas and cakes made with yeast;
• pickled vegetables, such as sauerkraut, pickles, sun-dried tomatoes and olives;
• aged cheeses, such as cheddar, blue cheese, Swiss, gouda, gorgonzola, parmesan, roquefort, feta and brie;
• Carnes, such as dried or cured meat, preserved or smoked fish, liver, meat extracts, salami, bacon and ham;
• Alcoholic beverages, such as beer, liqueur, red wine, sherry and vermouth;
• Fruits, like dried fruits and very ripe fruits;
• Seeds and oilseeds, such as peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin and sesame seeds;
• Fermented soy products, such as soy sauce, miso, tempeh and natto.

Some foods have moderate amounts of tyramine, such as raw onions, avocados, coffee, cola drinks, chocolate and caffeinated teas, such as black tea and green tea.

Other foods have low amounts of tyramine, such as fresh cheeses, such as cottage, ricotta and mozzarella, yogurt, fresh milk, fresh meat, fresh chicken, fresh fish and eggs.

Possible side effects

As tyramine participates in the production of neurotransmitters that control blood pressure, consuming high amounts of this substance can cause an increase in blood pressure.

Furthermore, tyramine also causes blood vessels to dilate, favoring the onset of headaches in people who suffer from migraines. Learn about other foods that can cause migraines.

Contraindications

People who use monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications, such as Isocarboxazid, moclobemide, phenelzine and selegiline should avoid foods rich in tyramine.

This happens because these medications block the enzyme that dissolves tyramine, increasing the concentration of this substance in the body and causing complications, such as increased blood pressure, headache, blurred vision and intracranial hemorrhage.