Sumac

spices

Sumac

9/ 10Excellent
Controversy: 5.2

Rated by 11 diets

10 approve0 caution1 avoid
Is Sumac Healthy?

Yes — Sumac is broadly considered healthy. 10 out of 11 diets approve it.

Nutrition Facts
Per 100g

Diet Ratings

Keto9/10APPROVED

Sumac is a spice with negligible carbs (<1g per tsp). Used in small quantities as seasoning. No sugar content. Excellent keto-compatible flavor enhancer.

Vegan10/10APPROVED

Sumac is a dried spice made from sumac berries. Entirely plant-based with no processing concerns. Whole-food ingredient.

Paleo9/10APPROVED

Sumac is a dried spice from berries, unprocessed and available to hunter-gatherers. No grains, legumes, dairy, or seed oils. Pure seasoning.

Mediterranean9/10APPROVED

Sumac is a traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spice with tart flavor, used to replace salt. No calories, no additives, and deeply rooted in Mediterranean culinary traditions. Excellent seasoning choice.

Carnivore1/10AVOID

Sumac is a plant-derived spice made from berries. Incompatible with carnivore diet regardless of quantity.

Whole309/10APPROVED

Sumac is a dried spice made from sumac berries with no additives. It is a whole, unprocessed seasoning explicitly allowed under Whole30 guidelines. No prohibited ingredients present.

Low-FODMAP9/10APPROVED

Sumac is a low-FODMAP spice used in small quantities. It contains no fermentable carbohydrates, polyols, or excess fructose. Safe at typical culinary serving sizes.

DASH9/10APPROVED

Sumac is a spice with negligible sodium, no added sugars, and contains antioxidants. Excellent for adding flavor to DASH meals without compromising sodium or other nutritional targets. Ideal condiment.

Zone9/10APPROVED

Spice with negligible macronutrients; adds polyphenol-rich flavor without impacting Zone ratios. Anti-inflammatory properties align with Zone philosophy. Use freely.

Anti-Inflammatory8/10APPROVED

Rich in polyphenols and antioxidants with demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Contains citric acid and tannic compounds. Low glycemic impact. No added sugars or inflammatory additives. Supports anti-inflammatory diet principles.

GLP-1 Friendly9/10APPROVED

Sumac is a spice with negligible calories, no sugar, no fat, and no protein requirement. It adds bright, tangy flavor without triggering GLP-1 side effects. It's nutrient-dense per calorie (contains antioxidants and minerals) and helps make small portions of protein-rich foods more palatable and satisfying.

Controversy Index

Score range: 110/10. Higher controversy = more disagreement between diets.

Consensus5.2Divisive

Diet-Specific Tips for Sumac

Keto 9/10
  • Net carbs: <1g per tsp
  • Used as spice in minimal quantities
  • No added sugars
  • Flavor-enhancing only
Vegan 10/10
  • Plant-based spice
  • No animal products
  • Whole food
  • No processing concerns
Paleo 9/10
  • Unprocessed spice
  • Berry-derived
  • No additives
  • Paleo-friendly flavoring
Mediterranean 9/10
  • traditional Mediterranean spice
  • no added sugars or sodium
  • minimal processing
  • enhances flavor without salt
Whole30 9/10
  • pure spice
  • no additives
  • whole food
  • herbs and spices allowed
  • no sugar or preservatives
Low-FODMAP 9/10
  • Spice with minimal carbohydrate content
  • No fermentable components
  • Safe at standard serving
DASH 9/10
  • Negligible sodium
  • No added sugars
  • Rich in antioxidants
  • Enhances flavor without salt
  • Minimal calories
Zone 9/10
  • Zero significant macronutrient impact
  • Polyphenol-rich antioxidants
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • No glycemic load
  • high polyphenol content
  • antioxidant properties
  • low glycemic impact
  • no additives
  • traditional anti-inflammatory use
  • Zero calories per serving
  • No sugar or fat
  • Flavor enhancement for small portions
  • Antioxidant content
  • No GI irritation
Last reviewed: Our methodology