Does Bacon Have Tyramine? A Complete Guide to Tyramine in Bacon and Other Foods

Tyramine is a compound that occurs naturally in some foods due to the breakdown of the amino acid tyrosine For most people, consuming tyramine in small amounts is not an issue However, for those taking MAO inhibitor medications, limiting dietary tyramine is important to avoid potential side effects like severe headaches and dangerous spikes in blood pressure. So does bacon have tyramine? And what other foods contain high levels of this compound? Keep reading to learn more.

What is Tyramine?

Tyramine is a biogenic amine that acts as a neurotransmitter in the body. It is produced as foods age, ferment or spoil due to the natural breakdown of the amino acid tyrosine. Tyramine mimics the effects of the “fight or flight” hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine which constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure. This is why consuming large amounts of tyramine can trigger headaches or hypertensive crisis in those taking MAO inhibitors.

While small amounts of tyramine occur naturally in many foods, higher concentrations are often found in aged, fermented, smoked or spoiled foods. Examples include aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented soy products, chocolate, alcoholic beverages and pickled/dried fish.

Who Should Avoid Tyramine?

For most people, tyramine consumption does not need to be restricted. However, those taking MAO inhibitor antidepressants like phenelzine and tranylcypromine should avoid tyramine-rich foods.

MAO inhibitors block the enzyme monoamine oxidase, preventing the normal breakdown of tyramine in the body. If tyramine builds up to high levels, it can cause dangerous interactions like:

• Severe headaches
• Hypertensive crisis (severely high blood pressure)
• Brain hemorrhage
• Stroke
• Heart attack

To prevent these reactions, doctors recommend a low-tyramine diet for those on MAO inhibitors. Foods highest in tyramine like aged cheeses, cured meats, soy sauce, chocolate, wine, beer and sauerkraut should be avoided.

Does Bacon Have Tyramine?

Now let’s address the main question: does bacon have tyramine? The answer is yes – bacon contains moderate levels of tyramine. While fresh bacon contains little tyramine, most bacon sold commercially has been cured or smoked, allowing tyramine levels to increase over time.

For those on MAO inhibitors, it’s recommended to avoid all bacon except fresh bacon cooked right away. Even bacon labeled “uncured” may still contain curing agents that can raise tyramine levels. To be safe, bacon should be avoided unless approved by your doctor.

Other processed meats like salami, pepperoni, hot dogs, bologna and deli meats also contain tyramine and need to be avoided on an MAOI diet. Fresh poultry, fish and eggs contain minimal tyramine and can be safely consumed.

Low Tyramine Foods

While MAO inhibitor patients need to avoid high tyramine foods, many foods contain low or minimal amounts of tyramine:

Dairy: Milk, cream, cottage cheese, farmer’s cheese, yogurt

Grains/Starches: Bread, pasta, rice, oats, wheat, potatoes

Fruits: Fresh fruits like apples, oranges, berries, peaches, plums, apricots

Vegetables: Fresh vegetables like lettuce, spinach, celery, carrots, tomatoes

Meat/Protein: Fresh poultry, eggs, fish, pork, lamb, veal

Beverages: Water, juice, soda, decaf coffee/tea

Fats/Oils: Vegetable oils, butter

Sweets: Jelly beans, fructose, sucrose

This list gives just a sample of the many low tyramine foods one can safely eat while taking an MAO inhibitor. Consulting with a doctor or dietitian can help create a customized low tyramine meal plan.

Foods Highest in Tyramine

While tyramine occurs widely in foods, the highest levels are found in the following:

• Aged cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, gorgonzola, stilton, brie, parmesan

• Cured meats like salami, pepperoni, pastrami, bologna, ham, hot dogs

• Fermented soy products like soy sauce, miso paste, tempeh

• Sauerkraut, kimchi and other fermented vegetables

• Broad beans, fava beans, snow peas

• Yeast extracts

• Wine, beer and fermented alcohols

• Chocolate and cocoa powder

• Yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk

• Avocados, bananas, raisins, figs, red plums, papaya

• Nuts like peanuts, walnuts and pecans

• Caffeinated products like coffee, colas and chocolate

The highest tyramine foods should be completely avoided by those taking MAO inhibitors. For others, enjoy these foods in moderation as part of a varied diet.

Tips for Limiting Tyramine

For those who need to reduce tyramine, here are some helpful tips:

• Always read food labels carefully and avoid products containing yeast extract, hydrolyzed protein or meat tenderizers which contain tyramine.

• Opt for fresh cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, feta and cottage cheese instead of aged cheeses.

• Choose uncured meats like fresh poultry, pork and fish and avoid processed luncheon meats.

• Limit fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha and fermented soy products.

• Stick to fresh fruits and vegetables; avoid overripe produce like bananas, avocados and figs.

• For alcoholic beverages, limit intake to no more than 1 serving daily of light beer or sweet wines like Riesling. Avoid red wine, sherry, Chianti and vermouth.

• Enjoy chocolate, coffee and tea in moderation, limiting to 1-2 servings daily.

Working with a doctor or dietitian can help tailor your diet appropriately based on your medication regimen and sensitivity to tyramine.

The Bottom Line

Tyramine is a compound that forms as foods age, ferment or spoil. In large amounts, it can cause side effects in those taking MAO inhibitors. Bacon contains moderate levels of tyramine and should be avoided by those on this medication. However, many other fresh foods are low in tyramine and can be safely consumed. By making informed food choices and reading labels carefully, even those on MAO inhibitors can enjoy a varied, low-tyramine diet.