Sumac

spices

Sumac

9/ 10Excellent
Controversy: 5.0

Rated by 11 diets

10 approve0 caution1 avoid

How the diets react

Approves10
Disapproves1
Is Sumac Healthy?

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

Nutrition Facts
Per 100g

Diet Ratings

KetoApproved

Sumac is a spice with negligible carbs (1g net carbs per teaspoon) and no sugar. Used in small quantities for flavor. Adds tartness without carb impact. Fully compatible with ketogenic diet.

VeganApproved

Pure sumac spice is a dried plant product with no animal-derived ingredients. Whole food, minimally processed.

PaleoApproved

Sumac is a dried spice from berries, unprocessed and available to hunter-gatherers. Contains no additives, grains, legumes, or seed oils. Adds flavor without compromising paleo compliance.

MediterraneanApproved

Sumac is a traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spice made from dried berries. It adds tartness and flavor without salt, aligns with Mediterranean culinary traditions, and contains no additives. Widely used in Levantine cuisine.

CarnivoreAvoid

Spice derived from sumac berries (plant fruit). All spices and plant-derived seasonings are excluded from strict carnivore protocol.

Whole30Approved

Sumac is a pure spice with no excluded ingredients. It is a whole, unprocessed herb/spice that adds flavor without any additives.

Low-FODMAPApproved

Sumac is a dried spice with no significant FODMAP content. Monash University has tested sumac and confirmed it is low-FODMAP at typical culinary serving sizes (1-2 teaspoons per dish).

DASHApproved

Sumac is a sodium-free spice with no added sugars or fats. Provides tangy flavor to replace salt in cooking, supporting DASH sodium reduction goals. Rich in antioxidants and polyphenols.

ZoneApproved

Spice used in negligible quantities. Provides polyphenols and anti-inflammatory compounds with zero meaningful macronutrient contribution. Enhances low-glycemic vegetable dishes without affecting Zone balance.

Sumac is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants with demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Contains citric acid and tannins. No added sugars or inflammatory compounds. Excellent culinary spice aligned with anti-inflammatory principles.

GLP-1 FriendlyApproved

Sumac is a dry spice with negligible calories, fat, and sugar. It adds bright, tart flavor without salt overload (unlike some spices), supports appetite control through flavor interest, and aids digestion. Zero GLP-1 side effect risk. Ideal for seasoning lean proteins and vegetables.

Controversy Index

Score range: 19/10. Higher controversy = more disagreement between diets.

Consensus5.0Divisive

Diet-Specific Tips for Sumac

Keto 9/10
  • Negligible net carbs
  • No added sugars
  • Used in small portions
  • Flavor-only contribution
Vegan 9/10
  • plant-based
  • whole food
  • no additives in pure form
Paleo 9/10
  • Unprocessed spice
  • No additives
  • Ancestral availability
  • Nutrient-dense
Mediterranean 9/10
  • Traditional Mediterranean/Middle Eastern spice
  • No added ingredients or processing
  • Adds flavor without sodium
  • Supports whole food preparation
Whole30 9/10
  • Pure spice
  • No additives
  • Explicitly allowed category
Low-FODMAP 8/10
  • Dried spice with minimal fermentable content
  • Used in small quantities
  • No known FODMAP triggers
DASH 9/10
  • Zero sodium
  • No added sugars
  • Flavor enhancer reducing salt need
  • Antioxidant-rich
Zone 8/10
  • Negligible macronutrient impact
  • Polyphenol-rich
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Flavor enhancement for vegetables
  • high polyphenol content
  • potent antioxidant activity
  • no inflammatory additives
  • traditional use in Mediterranean cuisine
  • Zero fat, sugar, calories
  • Enhances flavor without GI irritation
  • Supports nutrient-dense meals
  • No portion restrictions
Is Sumac Healthy? Diet Ratings & Controversy Score | FoodRef.ai