M

condiments

Mirin

2/ 10Poor
Controversy: 3.7

Rated by 11 diets

0 approve4 caution7 avoid

The diets react (see scores below)

Caution4
Disapproves7
Is Mirin Healthy?

Mostly no — Mirin is avoided by the majority of diets reviewed. 7 out of 11 diets recommend against it.

Nutrition Facts
Per 100g

Diet Ratings

KetoAvoid

Mirin is a sweet rice cooking wine with approximately 45g net carbs per 3-tablespoon serving. High sugar content makes it fundamentally incompatible with keto. Zero tolerance for added sugars.

VeganCaution

Mirin is a sweet rice cooking ingredient. Most traditional mirin is vegan (made from rice, koji, and sometimes sugar), but some brands may contain additives or be processed with animal products. Most commercial mirin is plant-based, but verification is recommended.

Debated

Some strict vegans avoid mirin due to historical production methods or potential cross-contamination in shared facilities, though modern commercial mirin is typically vegan-compliant.

PaleoAvoid

Sweetened rice cooking ingredient made from fermented rice (grain) with added sugar. Contains both grain and refined sugar, both paleo-excluded.

Sweet cooking ingredient with high added sugar content (typically 40-50% sugar). Contradicts Mediterranean principle of minimal added sugars and refined carbohydrates. Not a traditional Mediterranean ingredient.

CarnivoreAvoid

Mirin is a sweet rice-based condiment made from fermented grain. It is plant-derived with high sugar content, explicitly excluded from carnivore diet. Contains no animal products.

Whole30Avoid

Mirin is a sweet rice wine made from glutinous rice and koji. It contains added sugar and is derived from a grain (rice), both of which are excluded on the Whole30 program.

Low-FODMAPCaution

Mirin is a sweet Japanese cooking ingredient made from glutinous rice and koji (mold). While rice is low-FODMAP, mirin contains added sugars and fermentation byproducts. Monash does not specifically test mirin. The high sugar content and fermentation process may elevate FODMAP levels. Small culinary quantities (1-2 teaspoons) are likely acceptable, but larger amounts should be avoided.

Debated

Monash University does not provide specific guidance on mirin. While the rice base is low-FODMAP, the added sugars and fermentation process create uncertainty. Some FODMAP practitioners recommend avoiding mirin during strict elimination due to sugar content and potential fermentation-derived FODMAPs; others suggest small amounts are safe. Portion control and individual tolerance testing are advised.

DASHCaution

Mirin is a sweet rice condiment high in added sugars (15g per tablespoon) and sodium (500-600mg per tablespoon). DASH limits added sugars and sodium. Small amounts as seasoning acceptable, but not recommended for regular use.

Debated

Some DASH practitioners allow small amounts of mirin as a traditional seasoning in Asian cuisine, viewing it similarly to other condiments used sparingly; however, NIH DASH guidelines emphasize limiting added sugars and sodium, making mirin problematic even in modest quantities.

ZoneAvoid

Mirin is a sweetened rice cooking liquid with very high sugar content (~15g per tablespoon). It is essentially a high-glycemic carbohydrate with minimal other nutritional value. Even small portions (1 teaspoon) contain ~5g carbs, making it extremely difficult to incorporate into Zone meals without spiking blood sugar. This is classified as an 'unfavorable' food in Zone.

Sweet rice wine with high added sugar content (typically 40-50% sugar by weight). While it contains some fermentation-derived compounds, the sugar load outweighs anti-inflammatory benefits. Promotes blood glucose spikes and inflammatory pathways. Small amounts in cooking may be acceptable but not encouraged in anti-inflammatory diet.

Debated

Some Asian cuisine practitioners note that mirin's fermentation process and traditional use suggest minimal inflammatory impact in small culinary amounts; anti-inflammatory protocols emphasize the high sugar content as problematic for inflammatory markers.

Mirin is a sweetened rice cooking liquid with 45-50% sugar content (11g sugar per tablespoon). It provides minimal protein or fiber and is an empty-calorie condiment. High sugar content may trigger nausea and blood sugar dysregulation in GLP-1 patients. Use is not recommended; if needed, use in minimal amounts (1 teaspoon) as a flavoring agent.

Controversy Index

Score range: 16/10. Higher controversy = more disagreement between diets.

Consensus3.7Divisive

Diet-Specific Tips for Mirin

Vegan 6/10
  • Rice-based sweetener
  • Most versions are plant-based
  • Check label for additives or processing aids
  • Aji-mirin (sweetened version) may contain additives
Low-FODMAP 5/10
  • Rice base is low-FODMAP
  • Added sugars elevate FODMAP concern
  • Fermentation process creates uncertainty
  • Typically used in small culinary quantities
  • Limited Monash testing data
DASH 4/10
  • High added sugar
  • High sodium
  • Used in small amounts
  • Traditional seasoning
  • Requires strict portion control
  • high added sugar
  • fermented rice wine
  • glycemic impact
  • minimal polyphenol content
  • portion control critical