Salicylates are natural chemicals found in plants, including plants that we eat. Salicylates are high in the leaves, stems, peel and flesh of plants, acting as a natural pesticide. Aspirin, one of the most well-known salicylates, was derived from the bark of a tree way back when. The active element is salicylic acid.
Note: if you are sensitive to aspirin, you are sensitive to salicylates.
Salicylates aren’t good or bad in and of themselves, but they can build up in some people and cause symptoms. Each person’s maximum level is individual to them. We call this a person’s threshold.
The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Clinic/FAILSAFE diet is designed to weed out food intolerances, including salicylate sensitivity.
Symptoms of salicylate intolerance
- Respiratory symptoms – asthma-like effects
- Headaches, migraines
- Digestive discomfort
- Urinary frequency
- Vaginal soreness, irritation
- Irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating or focusing, restless legs
- Interrupted sleep, insomnia
- Tinnitus
- Arthritis, joint pain, inflammation
- Swelling, fluid retention
- Mouth ulcers, rashes around the mouth
- Cough that won’t go away
- Sore, itchy, watering eyes
- Muscle twitching, tremors
Understanding the salicylate response
Salicylates inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX), an enzyme mediator that synthesises prostaglandins, which are involved in our pain and inflammatory response.
When COX is inhibited (slowed, stopped), our immune cells are activated – basophils, eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells, platelets, lymphocytes. These cells/substances are all involved in our allergy or ‘pseudo-allergy’ response.
Salicylate intolerance is therefore actually an enzyme deficiency, thought to be due to intake of COX inhibitors like phenols or salicylates and low levels of phenol-sulfur-transferase (PST).
Salicylates are processed by the liver in phase two conjugation (detoxification), which requires several key elements to work effectively: glutathione, sulfur, glycine, PST and glucuronic acid. Most often, however, salicylate intolerance is a PST enzyme deficiency.
Enzymes break larger things into smaller things so they can be utilised. If this process isn’t working, there is a build-up of the larger things, in this case, salicylates. The build-up results in symptoms eventually appearing.
Testing for salicylate intolerance
- Elimination diet (RPAH/FAILSAFE)
- Organic Acid Test (OAT)
Salicylate content of food
The content of salicylates in foods can vary dramatically even for the same food. The levels vary due to the season, parts tested (inner or outer leaves, bark, skin, pulp, juice), how fresh the food is, method of cooking (or raw), peeled, the thickness of peeling, local variations, farming practices, and how ripe the food is at harvest.
With that in mind, here is a searchable salicylates food list. Keep in mind spelling differences and name variations between countries!
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| Ale and Beer | Moderate |
| Alfalfa fresh | High |
| Allspice dry, powder | Very High |
| Almond fresh, raw | Very High |
| Aniseed dry, powder | Very High |
| Apple fresh, Golden Delicious | Very Low |
| Apple fresh, Red Delicious | Low |
| Apple juice, Mountain Maid | Low |
| Apple fresh, Johnathan | Moderate |
| Apple canned, Ardmona | High |
| Apple fresh, Granny Smith | High |
| Apricot nectar, Letona | Low |
| Apricot canned, Ardmona | Very High |
| Apricot fresh | Very High |
| Arrowroot powder | Zero |
| Asparagus fresh | Low |
| Asparagus canned | Moderate |
| Avocado fresh | High |
| Bamboo shoots canned, Sunshine | Zero |
| Banana fresh | Zero |
| Barley dry, unpearled | Zero |
| Basil dry, powder | Very High |
| Bay leaf dry, leaves | Very High |
| Beans dried, blackeye | Zero |
| Beans dried, borlotti | Zero |
| Beans dried, chickpeas/garbonzo | Zero |
| Beans dried, lima | Zero |
| Beans dried, mung | Zero |
| Beans dried, soya/soy | Zero |
| Beans dried, brown | Very Low |
| Beans fresh, sprouts, mung | Very Low |
| Beans fresh, French/green | Low |
| Beans fresh, broad/fava | High |
| Beef raw | Zero |
| Beetroot fresh | Low |
| Beetroot boiled | Low |
| Beetroot canned, Golden Circle | Moderate |
| Benedictine | Very High |
| Blackberry canned | Very High |
| Blueberry canned | Very High |
| Boysenberry canned | Very High |
| Brandy Hennessey | Moderate |
| Brazil nut fresh, raw | Moderate |
| Broccoli fresh | High |
| Brussels sprouts fresh | Very Low |
| Buckwheat dry | Zero |
| Cabbage fresh, green | Zero |
| Cabbage fresh, red | Very Low |
| Canella dry, powder | Very High |
| Caramels Pascall Cream Caramel | Low |
| Caraway dry, powder | Very High |
| Cardamom dry, powder | Very High |
| Carob dry, powder | Zero |
| Carrot fresh | Low |
| Cashew nut fresh, raw | Very Low |
| Cauliflower fresh | Low |
| Cayenne dry, powder | Very High |
| Celery fresh | Zero |
| Celery seed dry, powder | Very High |
| Cheese cheddar | Zero |
| Cheese cottage | Zero |
| Cheese camembert | Very Low |
| Cheese mozzarella | Very Low |
| Cheese blue vein | Very Low |
| Cherry, morello, sour canned | Moderate |
| Cherry, sweet fresh | High |
| Cherry, sweet canned | Very High |
| Chicken raw | Zero |
| Chicory fresh | Very High |
| Chili dry, flakes | Very High |
| Chives fresh | Very Low |
| Choko/Chayote fresh | Very Low |
| Cider sweet and dry | Low |
| Cinnamon dry, powder | Very High |
| Cloves dry, powder | Very High |
| Coca-Cola regular | Low |
| Cocoa dry, powder | Zero |
| Coconut desiccated | Moderate |
| Coffee cereal, Ecco | Zero |
| Coffee instant, decaffeinated, Andronicus | Zero |
| Coffee instant, decaffeinated, Harris | Zero |
| Coffee instant, decaffeinated, Moccona | Zero |
| Coffee instant, decaffeinated, Nescafe | Zero |
| Coffee fresh beans | Moderate |
| Coffee instant, Nescafe | High |
| Coffee instant, Maxwell House | High |
| Coffee cereal, chicory | Very High |
| Coriander fresh, leaves | Low |
| Corn/Maize dry, cornmeal | Moderate |
| Courgette/Zucchini fresh | Very High |
| Cranberry sauce | Very High |
| Cranberry canned | Very High |
| Cream | Zero |
| Cucumber fresh, peeled | High |
| Cumin dry, powder | Very High |
| Currant frozen, black | Very High |
| Currant frozen, red | Very High |
| Currant dried | Very High |
| Curry dry, powder | Very High |
| Custard apple fresh | Low |
| Date fresh | Very High |
| Date dried | Very High |
| Dill seed fresh raw | Very High |
| Dill seed dry, powder | Very High |
| Egg chicken, raw, white and yolk | Zero |
| Eggplant/Aubergine fresh, no peel | Moderate |
| Eggplant/Aubergine fresh, with skin | High |
| Endive fresh | Very High |
| Fennel dry, powder | High |
| Fenugreek dry, powder | Very High |
| Fig fresh | Low |
| Fig canned, kadota | Low |
| Fig dried, calamata | High |
| Five Spice dry, powder | Very High |
| Garam masala dry, powder | Very High |
| Garlic fresh, clove | Very Low |
| Gherkin pickled | Very High |
| Gin Gilbey’s | Zero |
| Ginger fresh, root | Very High |
| Golden Syrup liquid, CSR | Very Low |
| Grape canned, light seedless | Low |
| Grape juice, light, Sanitarium | Low |
| Grape juice, dark, Berri | High |
| Grape fresh, red, Malaita | High |
| Grape fresh, green | Very High |
| Grape dried, raisins | Very High |
| Grape dried, sultanas | Very High |
| Grapefruit juice, Berri | Moderate |
| Grapefruit fresh | High |
| Guava canned | Very High |
| Hazelnut fresh, raw | Low |
| Honey liquid, assorted | Very High |
| Horseradish canned | Low |
| Kidney raw, unspecified | Zero |
| Kiwi fruit fresh | Moderate |
| Lamb raw | Zero |
| Leek fresh | Very Low |
| Lemon fresh | Low |
| Lentils dried, brown | Zero |
| Lentils dried, red | Zero |
| Lettuce fresh | Zero |
| Licorice Nibs | Very High |
| Liqueur Cointreau | High |
| Liqueur Tia Maria | High |
| Liqueur Drambuie | Very High |
| Liver raw, unspecified | Very Low |
| Loganberry canned | Very High |
| Loquat fresh | Moderate |
| Lychee canned | Moderate |
| Macadamia nut fresh, raw | High |
| Mace dry, powder | Very High |
| Mango fresh | Low |
| Maple Syrup liquid, Camp | Zero |
| Marrow fresh | Low |
| Melon, cantaloupe fresh | Very High |
| Millet dry, hulled and unhulled | Zero |
| Milo dry, powder | Very Low |
| Mint fresh | Very High |
| Mints Allens strong | High |
| Mints LifeSavers, peppermint | High |
| Mints LifeSavers, regular | High |
| Mints Minties | Very High |
| Mints Steamrollers | Very High |
| Mints Koolmint | Very High |
| Mixed Herbs dried | Very High |
| Molasses liquid | Low |
| Mulberry fresh | High |
| Mushroom fresh, raw, common, white | Low |
| Mushroom canned, champignon | Very High |
| Mustard dry, powder | Very High |
| Nutmeg dry, powder | Very High |
| Oats dry, oatmeal | Zero |
| Okra canned | High |
| Olive, black canned | Moderate |
| Olive, green canned | Very High |
| Onions fresh, shallot/spring onion/green onion (straight stem, no rounded bulb) | Very Low |
| Onions fresh | Low |
| Orange juice, Berri | Low |
| Orange fresh, nectarine | Moderate |
| Orange fresh, mandarin | High |
| Orange fresh, tangerine | High |
| Orange fresh | Very High |
| Oregano dried | Very High |
| Ovaltine dry, powder | Zero |
| Oysters raw | Zero |
| Papaya/pawpaw fresh | Very Low |
| Paprika dry, powder, sweet | Very High |
| Paprika dry, powder, hot | Very High |
| Parsley fresh, leaves | Very Low |
| Parsnip fresh | Moderate |
| Passionfruit/granadilla fresh | Low |
| Peach nectar, Letona | Very Low |
| Peach fresh | High |
| Peach canned | High |
| Peanut butter, Sanitarium | Low |
| Peanut fresh, raw, unshelled | Very High |
| Pear canned, Letona, Bartlett | Zero |
| Pear fresh, Packham, no skin | Zero |
| Pear fresh, Packham, with skin | Moderate |
| Pear fresh, William, with skin | Moderate |
| Peas dried, green split | Zero |
| Peas dried, yellow split | Very Low |
| Peas fresh, green | Very Low |
| Pecan fresh, raw | Low |
| Pepper fresh, sweet/bell, red | High |
| Pepper fresh, chili, green yellow | High |
| Pepper fresh, chili, green | High |
| Pepper dry, powder, white | Very High |
| Pepper fresh, sweet/bell, green | Very High |
| Pepper fresh, chili, red | Very High |
| Pepper dry, powder, black | Very High |
| Persimmon fresh | Low |
| Pimiento canned, red | Low |
| Pine nut fresh, raw | High |
| Pineapple juice, Golden Circle | Low |
| Pineapple canned | Very High |
| Pineapple fresh | Very High |
| Pistachio fresh, raw | High |
| Plum fresh, Kelsey Green | Very Low |
| Plum fresh, blood red | Low |
| Plum canned, red | Very High |
| Plum prunes, canned, Letona | Very High |
| Pomegranate fresh | Very Low |
| Poppy seed dry | Zero |
| Pork raw | Zero |
| Port | Very High |
| Potato fresh, large, no peel | Zero |
| Potato fresh, large, with peel | Low |
| Prawn raw | Very Low |
| Pumpkin fresh | Low |
| Radish fresh, small, red | Very High |
| Raspberry frozen | Very High |
| Raspberry fresh | Very High |
| Rhubarb fresh | Low |
| Rice dry, brown and white | Zero |
| Rosemary dried | Very High |
| Rum Captain Morgan | Very High |
| Rye dry | Zero |
| Saffron dry, powder | Zero |
| Sage dry, leaves | Very High |
| Salmon canned | Zero |
| Sauce soy | Zero |
| Sauce Tabasco, McIlhenny | Moderate |
| Sauce Worcestershire | Very High |
| Scallops raw | Very Low |
| Sesame seed dry | Low |
| Sherry sweet and dry | High |
| Spinach frozen | Low |
| Spinach fresh | High |
| Squash, baby fresh | High |
| Strawberry fresh | Very High |
| Sugar granulated, white | Zero |
| Sunflower seed dry | Low |
| Swede (turnip/rutabaga) fresh | Zero |
| Sweet potato fresh, white | Moderate |
| Sweetcorn/Maize fresh, on the cob | Low |
| Sweetcorn/Maize canned, niblets | Moderate |
| Sweetcorn/Maize canned, creamed | Moderate |
| Tamarillo fresh | Very Low |
| Tandoori spice dry, powder | Zero |
| Tangelo fresh | High |
| Tarragon dried | Very High |
| Tea herbal, chamomile | Very Low |
| Tea herbal, fruit | Moderate |
| Tea decaffeinated | Moderate |
| Tea herbal, rosehip | Moderate |
| Tea herbal, peppermint | Very High |
| Tea leaves, Chinese | Very High |
| Tea leaves, peony, jasmine | Very High |
| Tea Twinings, Lapsang Souchong | Very High |
| Tea Twinings, orange pekoe | Very High |
| Tea leaves, green, Burmese | Very High |
| Tea leaves, green, Indian | Very High |
| Tea Twinings, Earl Grey | Very High |
| Tea Twinings, English Breakfast | Very High |
| Tea Twinings, Irish Breakfast | Very High |
| Tea Harris | Very High |
| Tea Twinings, darjeeling | Very High |
| Tea Bushells | Very High |
| Tea Tetley, orange pekoe | Very High |
| Tea Twinings, lemon scented | Very High |
| Thyme dried | Very High |
| Tomato juice, Heinz | Low |
| Tomato fresh | Low |
| Tomato juice, Goulburn Valley, Heinz, Leotona | Low |
| Tomato soup, PMU, Heinz, Kia-Ora | Moderate |
| Tomato paste, Tom Piper, Leggo | Very High |
| Tomato canned | High |
| Tomato paste, Heinz | High |
| Tomato soup, Campbell’s | High |
| Tomato sauce/ketchup, Campbells, Fountain, PMU, Heinz, IXL, Rosella | Very High |
| Tomato sauce, Heinz | Very High |
| Tripe raw, unspecified | Zero |
| Tuna canned | Zero |
| Turmeric dry, powder | Very High |
| Turnip fresh, white | Low |
| Vanilla liquid essence | Very High |
| Vinegar Malt, liquid | Zero |
| Vinegar white, liquid | Very High |
| Vodka Smirnoff | Zero |
| Walnut fresh, raw | Moderate |
| Water chestnut canned | Very High |
| Watercress fresh | High |
| Watermelon fresh | Moderate |
| Wheat dry | Zero |
| Whiskey scotch, Johnnie Walker | Zero |
| Wine white, dry | Very Low |
| Wine rose | Moderate |
| Wine vermouth, dry | Moderate |
| Wine claret | High |
| Wine Riesling | High |
| Wine cabernet sauvignon | High |
| Wine champagne or sparking | Very High |
| Yeast extract Marmite, Sanitarium | High |
| Yeast extract Vegemite, Kraft | High |
| Yoghurt whole | Zero |
| Youngberry canned | Very High |
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