We all know that however satisfying french fries and snack cakes might be, they’re not exactly healthy choices. But what do they mean for a disease where many foods can trigger symptoms? Understanding how processed foods impact systemic mastocytosis (SM) means understanding your unique triggers.
What are processed foods?
The term “processed food” often brings to mind packaged cookies, bags of chips, frozen pizza, hot dogs and other unhealthy treats. While these are all processed foods, they’re far from the end of the list.
Processed foods are any foods that have been transformed in some way to be different from their original form. For example, candy is considered a processed food because it’s made of various ingredients that have been mixed together with flavors and preservatives. But the category also includes many foods that are generally considered healthy, such as whole-wheat bread, pasteurized milk and canned vegetables. Examples of unprocessed foods are raw meats and vegetables that have not undergone any transformative process.
Ultra-processed foods describe processed foods with ingredients that aren’t found in most kitchens, such as soda or potato chips. Ultra-processed foods often have additives, such as sodium.
Are processed foods symptom triggers?
In short: it depends.
Certain foods can trigger symptoms in patients with SM. While there are some foods that are common symptom triggers, triggers often vary from person to person — what triggers symptoms in one patient might be completely fine for another.
Many patients find that specific types of processed foods trigger their symptoms. However, research definitively linking processed foods to worsening symptoms is limited. Science can’t yet say that there’s proven connections between certain processed foods and symptoms — just that some patients can’t tolerate some foods.
Read more about SM causes and risk factors
Processed foods that might trigger SM symptoms
As noted, while there are no definitive answers, there are some foods that are common enough symptom triggers that patients may want to be wary of them, especially as they learn their unique triggers. These include:
High-histamine foods: Certain foods are often high in histamine, or can cause mast cells to release more histamine into the body. Some people with SM eat a low-histamine diet to help control symptoms. Many ingredients found in processed and ultra-processed foods are often high in histamine, such as artificial colors, artificial flavorings, monosodium glutamate (MSG), deli meat, ketchup and chocolate.
Fermented foods: In particular, many fermented foods are high in histamine. These include processed and ultra-processed foods like dry-fermented sausages, cured cheeses and soy sauce.
Alcohol: Alcohol is considered an ultra-processed food, since it’s generally gone through an extensive manufacturing process. Many patients can’t tolerate any amount of alcohol, while others are OK with smaller amounts. Alcohol is both high in histamine and is histamine-releasing. Some types, such as wine and beer, also fall under the category of fermented foods.
Identifying the best foods for your health
Because SM triggers differ between individuals, the best way to know whether you need to avoid certain foods is to keep a record of all the times you find your symptoms suddenly becoming more difficult to deal with. A food diary can help you pinpoint your symptom triggers.
Even if they don’t trigger symptoms, you might choose to limit some processed or ultra-processed foods anyway, to help eat a healthier diet. There is ample scientific evidence showing that many ultra-processed foods are harmful to human health. Given that SM is a lifelong disease, prioritizing a healthier lifestyle can help mean better health overall.
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