Salicylic acid is a natural chemical found in all plants. It is in many foods and is also used in pain medications and health and beauty products. Salicylic acid can cause food sensitivities and negative reactions in certain individuals. Diets that restrict salicylic acid may benefit people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and chronic urticaria, while foods high in salicylic acid may benefit people at risk for heart disease.
Salicylates
Salicylate, a derivative of salicylic acid, is the most common form of salicylic acid in food. Salicylates are natural preservatives that prevent plants from rotting. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an intolerance to salicylates can result in difficulty breathing, headaches, congestion, itching, rash or hives, swelling or stomach pain when exposed to food or drugs that contain salicylates.
High-Salicylate Foods
Wageningen University in the Netherlands says fruits, vegetables and nuts that are high in salicylates include mushrooms, chicory, green pepper, olives, tomatoes, radish, alfalfa, broccoli, cucumbers, fava beans, spinach, sweet potatoes, apricot, blackberries, blueberries, plums, nectarines, cantaloupes, dates, guava, raisins, Granny Smith apples, avocados, sweet cherries, red grapes, mandarin oranges, tangelos, oranges, almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, macadamia nuts and pistachios. Seasonings that are high in salicylates include cumin, curry powder, dill, garam masala, oregano, paprika, rosemary, thyme, turmeric and mustard. Beverages with salicylates include coffee, tea, red wine, liquor and liqueurs and fruit juice.
Low-Salicylate Foods
According to Wageningen Unviersity, foods that are moderately low in salicylate include canned asparagus, lettuce, Chinese green vegetables, pumpkin, snow peas, kiwis, pineapples, lychee, watermelon, coconut, Brazil nuts and fennel. Foods that contain little or no salicylate include beans, carrots, corn, squash, zucchini, fresh asparagus, cauliflower, onion, peas, green beans, celery, cabbage, lentils, red apples, sour cherries, green grapes, lemon, mangoes, passion fruit, bananas, pears, pecans, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, garlic, parsley, chives, vinegar, soy sauce and saffron. Animal products like meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and eggs are also very low in salicylate.
ADHD
One of the most popular diets to treat ADHD, the Feingold Diet, restricts foods and medications high in salicylates, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). The Feingold diet was created in the 1970s by Dr. Benjamin Feingold, who found that pediatric patients with ADHD improved when placed on a diet that eliminated food additives, preservatives, artificial colorings and foods containing salicylate. The CSPI warns that the success of the Feingold Diet is based on anecdotal evidence but has not been scientifically proven to effectively treat ADHD.
Chronic Urticaria
Chronic urticaria (CU) is a type of hives that lasts for 6 weeks or longer. According to the International Chronic Urticaria Society, many people with CU are sensitive to salicylates and benefit from following a low-salicylate diet that restricts foods and drugs high in salicylates.
Aspirin
According to the Berry Health Benefits Network (BHBN), the salicylic acid found in Oregon raspberries and blackberries may have similar effects to aspirin in preventing heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends that people who have had a heart attack or mild stroke take aspirin to prevent a recurring heart attack or stroke. Aspirin may also benefit people at risk for a heart attack or stroke. The BHBN says 100 g of red raspberries has about 5 mg of salicylic acid.
References
- "A Parent's Guide to Diet, ADHD and Behavior"; Center for Science in the Public Interest, 1999.
- Berry Health Benefits Network: Fact Sheets
- Cleveland Clinic: Special Diets for Food Allergies
- International Chronic Urticaria Society: Low Salicylate Diet
- Wageningen University: What is salicylic acid and in which foods does it occur?
