Tyramine is a monoamine compound found in foods that have been aged or fermented. High levels of tyramines can also be found in spoiled food. If you are on medication classified as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MAO-I, eating foods that contain tyramine can cause serious and even fatal reactions. Even consuming as little as 6 to 8 mg of tyramine can increase your blood pressure and heart rate.
Cheese
Aged cheeses contain tyramine. A 1 oz. portion of New York cheddar cheese contains 42 mg of tyramine and a 1 oz. portion of Canadian cheddar cheese contains 43 mg of tyramine. Other aged cheeses with high amounts of tyramine include Swiss cheese, Stilton, Camembert, Muenster, Mozzarella, blue cheese and Gorgonzola cheese. Processed cheese, such as American cheese, contains 0.2 to 1.6 mg of tyramine per 1 oz. serving and can be eaten in small quantities when following a low-tyramine diet.
Alcohol
As fermented beverages, some alcoholic drinks contain high amounts of tyramine. A 12 oz. serving of tap beer contains 38 mg of tyramine. Vermouth, Korean beer, Chianti red wine, sherry and liquers also contain high amounts of tyramine. A 4 oz. serving of red wine contains 0 to 0.6 mg of tyramine, and bottled or canned beer contains 1.5 mg of tyramine.
Meat
Aged meats also contain tyramine. A 1 oz. serving of aged chicken livers contains 60 mg of tyramine. Sausage, salami, hot dogs, bacon, corned beef, duck liver, pickled herring, smoked fish and caviar all contains high amounts of tyramine. A 1 oz. serving of pepperoni contains 1.75 mg of tyramine. Meats prepared with a meat tenderizer also contains tyramine.
Produce
Fermented, overripe and spoiled fruits and vegetables can contain tyramine. A 4 oz. serving of sauerkraut contains 3.5 to 14 mg of tyramine. Kim chee, fava beans, broad beans, pickles, olives and avocado also contain tyramine. Fermented soy, such as tempeh and tofu, also contain tyramine. Raspberries and figs contain very small amounts of tyramine.
Condiments
A 2 tbsp. serving of a yeast extract, such as Vegemite, contains 1.5 to 34 mg of tyramine. One tsp. of soy sauce contains 0.05 to 4.7 mg of tyramine. Thai and Vietnamese fish sauces and teriyaki sauce also contain tyramine.
Miscellaneous Foods
Other foods with tyramine include gravies, meat extracts used in soups, ginseng and chocolate. Colas, coffee or teas with caffeine also contain high amounts of tyramine. Hot chocolate is also a source of tyramine.
