Nightshade is a family of plants that includes tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers.For something to be considered an alkaloid, it must contain nitrogen and affect the human body, usually from a medicinal perspective. .
Are Nightshades Bad for You?
They claim that harmful substances found in these vegetables may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease and other autoimmune conditions.Peppers contain incredible amounts of vitamin C, which can provide many health benefits, including helping enhance iron absorption ( ).Summary Nightshades are nutrient-dense foods that may provide a number of health benefits through their vitamin, mineral, fiber, and antioxidant content.Consequently, many people with autoimmune diseases eliminate nightshades from their diets, believing they contribute to their health problems.In people with IBD, the protective lining of the intestine doesn’t function properly and allows bacteria and other harmful substances to enter the bloodstream ( 8 , 9 ).When this happens, the body’s immune system attacks the harmful substances, leading to further inflammation of the gut and many adverse gastrointestinal symptoms, such as pain, diarrhea, and malabsorption.While research on this is limited, a few studies in animals suggest that the alkaloids in nightshades may further aggravate the intestinal lining of people with IBD.It’s important to note that the alkaloids in these studies were in far higher concentrations than the amount found in a normal serving.Additionally, two test-tube studies suggest that chemicals called lectins in tomatoes and capsaicin in peppers may also increase intestinal permeability ( 13 , 14 ).This limited research in animals and test tubes suggests that people with IBD may benefit from eliminating or reducing nightshades.However, there may be some connection between increased intestinal permeability, or leaky gut, and autoimmune conditions like celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis ( 15 , 16 ).Some experts believe that leaky gut could contribute to higher levels of inflammation all over the body that worsen disease symptoms ( 17 , 18 ).Based on this belief, some have suggested that nightshades may increase intestinal permeability and aggravate the symptoms of these autoimmune conditions, as well.Many people with these diseases have eliminated nightshades from their diets and report improvement in symptoms, but evidence for this recommendation right now is mainly anecdotal and needs to be studied.Sensitivities and allergies Other groups of people without autoimmune conditions claim that eliminating nightshades has dramatically improved their health.There’s an older theory that nightshades contain a form of vitamin D that causes calcium deposits that may contribute to joint pain and other arthritis symptoms.And some studies have reported that animals feeding on these plants have developed calcium deposits in soft tissues, which cause health problems ( 19 , 20 , 21 ).However, there doesn’t appear to be evidence that nightshades contain vitamin D or that eating these vegetables causes calcium deposits, arthritis symptoms, or other related health problems in humans.Symptoms of an allergy vary but can include skin rashes, hives, itching in the throat, swelling, and difficulty breathing ( 22 , 23 ).Summary People claiming to have nightshade sensitivities have found symptom relief by avoiding them, though there’s no research supporting this.On the other hand, if you have an autoimmune condition like IBD or think you may be sensitive to nightshades, you might want to consider removing them from your diet to evaluate changes in symptoms.If you still want to eat nightshades but would like to lower their alkaloid content, you can accomplish this by peeling your potatoes, limiting green tomatoes, and fully cooking these vegetables. .
Nightshade vegetables and inflammation: Do they affect arthritis?
Nightshades are nutritious, healthful foods and the idea that they cause inflammation is not supported by evidence.Nightshade foods contain solanine, a chemical which some people believe may aggravate arthritis pain or inflammation.A 2010 study suggests that eating purple or yellow potatoes may, in fact, reduce inflammation and DNA damage.These species contain high levels of antioxidants, including carotenoids, which the authors suggest may prevent cell damage.If a person wishes to eliminate nightshades from the diet, they can replace them with other non-nightshade vegetables, such as: sweet potatoes.Eating a varied diet rich in vitamins and minerals can have a powerful effect on a person’s health and improve the symptoms of chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.Anti-inflammatory foods recommended by the Arthritis Foundation include: Oily fish : These have a high Omega-3 content that may reduce inflammation.Colorful fruits and vegetables : Examples include blueberries, cherries, kale, and broccoli that are full of antioxidants to support the immune system.: Examples include blueberries, cherries, kale, and broccoli that are full of antioxidants to support the immune system.Share on Pinterest Symptoms of a nightshade vegetable allergy may include coughing or wheezing.A person may be allergic to one or more nightshade vegetables if they experience the following symptoms shortly after eating them: hives or a skin rash.If a person experiences a severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis after eating any food, they should seek emergency medical attention and use an EpiPen, if one is available. .
What's the Deal With Nightshade Vegetables? – Cleveland Clinic
Gluten, FODMAPs, dairy … it’s hard to keep track of what foods people are avoiding these days.Nightshades are a botanical family of foods and spices that contain chemical compounds called alkaloids, explains registered dietitian Ryanne Lachman.A single bell pepper, for example, contains well over the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, and tomatoes are a major source of the antioxidant lycopene, which some studies have associated with decreased risk of certain types of cancer.While there haven’t been any large-scale studies demonstrating this (at least not yet), some diet plans exclude nightshades, claiming that people report feeling better when they don’t eat them.If you think you have a sensitivity to nightshades, Lachman recommends cutting them out for a few weeks while keeping a close eye on symptoms to test for tolerance.Lachman recommends using beets to make a “no-mato” sauce, swapping white potatoes for sweet, and using Italian spices like basil, thyme and rosemary instead of cayenne or paprika. .
Can Eating Nightshade Vegetables Cause Inflammation?
If you’ve been hearing about nightshades in conversations about a healthy diet, you may be left wondering whether these plants are actually beneficial for you.This idea is rooted in the fact that nightshades are a large family of plants that contain a chemical compound called alkaloids.Eggplant, bell peppers and tomatoes are rich sources of vitamins and antioxidants, which can protect your body from chronic diseases.“If you feel like your symptoms become worse when you eat nightshades, talk to your doctor about whether you should cut them from your diet,” says Nofziger.If you are one of them, Nofziger recommends giving eggplant a supporting role in meals; cut it up into bite size pieces and add with other vegetables to soup or stir fry instead of highlighting it as the main ingredient.“We know that plant foods are cancer fighters and I advise people to eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day,” says Nofziger.“Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplants are a delicious way to add flavor and variety to a healthy plate.”. .
Solanaceae
The Solanaceae ,[citation needed] or nightshades, are a family of flowering plants that ranges from annual and perennial herbs to vines, lianas, epiphytes, shrubs, and trees, and includes a number of agricultural crops, medicinal plants, spices, weeds, and ornamentals.Many members of the family contain potent alkaloids, and some are highly toxic, but many—including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, bell and chili peppers—are used as food.The family belongs to the order Solanales, in the asterid group and class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons).[2] The Solanaceae consists of about 98 genera and some 2,700 species,[3] with a great diversity of habitats, morphology and ecology.In 2017, scientists reported on their discovery and analysis of a fossil tomatillo, Physalis infinemundi, found in the Patagonian region of Argentina, dated to 52 million years B.P.The finding has pushed back the earliest appearance of the plant family Solanaceae.The Solanaceae family includes a number of commonly collected or cultivated species.Some other important members of Solanaceae include a number of ornamental plants such as Petunia, Browallia, and Lycianthes, and sources of psychoactive alkaloids, Datura, Mandragora (mandrake), and Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade).Many of the Solanaceae, such as tobacco and petunia, are used as model organisms in the investigation of fundamental biological questions at the cellular, molecular, and genetic levels.Plants in the Solanaceae can take the form of herbs, shrubs, trees, vines and lianas, and sometimes epiphytes.The flowers are generally hermaphrodites, although some are monoecious, andromonoecious, or dioecious species (such as some Solanum or Symonanthus).In the great majority of species, the flowers have a differentiated perianth with a calyx and corolla (with five sepals and five petals, respectively) an androecium with five stamens and two carpels forming a gynoecium with a superior ovary[8] (they are therefore referred to as pentamers and tetracyclic).The anthers touch on their upper end forming a ring, or they are completely free, dorsifixed, or basifixed with poricide dehiscence or through small longitudinal cracks.The gynoecium is bicarpelar (rarely three- or five-locular) with a superior ovary and two locules, which may be secondarily divided by false septa, as is the case for Nicandreae and Datureae.The gynoecium is located in an oblique position relative to the flower's median plane.The fruit can be a berry as in the case of the tomato or wolfberry a dehiscent capsule as in Datura, or a drupe.Despite the previous description, the Solanaceae exhibit a large morphological variability, even in their reproductive characteristics.However, some species occur in which the numbers are not the same due to the existence of false septa (internal walls that subdivide each locule), such as in Datura and some members of the Lycieae (the genera Grabowskia and Vassobia).The ovules are generally inverted, folded sharply backwards (anatropous), but some genera have ovules that are rotated at right angles to their stalk (campilotropous) as in Phrodus, Grabowskia or Vassobia), or are partially inverted (hemitropous as in Cestrum, Capsicum, Schizanthus and Lycium).The fruits of the great majority of the Solanaceae are berries or capsules (including pyxidia) and less often drupes.Capsules are characteristic of the subfamilies Cestroideae (with the exception of Cestrum) and Schizanthoideae, the tribes Salpiglossoideae and Anthocercidoideae, and the genus Datura.Alkaloids are nitrogenous organic substances produced by plants as a secondary metabolite and which have an intense physiological action on animals even at low doses.Many species contain a variety of alkaloids that can be more or less active or poisonous, such as scopolamine, atropine, hyoscyamine, and nicotine.The amount of these glycoalkaloids in potatoes, for example, varies significantly depending on environmental conditions during their cultivation, the length of storage, and the variety.Edible Solanaceae such as eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers also contain nicotine, but at concentrations 100,000 to 1,000,000 times less than tobacco.[22][23] Nicotine's function in a plant is to act as a defense against herbivores, as it is a very effective neurotoxin, in particular against insects.In fact, nicotine has been used for many years as an insecticide, though its use is currently being replaced by synthetic molecules derived from its structure.At low concentrations, nicotine acts as a stimulant in mammals, which causes the dependency in smokers.Like the tropanes, it acts on cholinergic neurons, but with the opposite effect (it is an agonist as opposed to an antagonist).It is found in species of the genus Capsicum, which includes chilis and habaneros and it is the active ingredient that determines the Scoville rating of these spices.Capsaicin extract is used to make pepper spray, a useful deterrent against aggressive and peaceful mammals.Map showing the distribution of the Solanaceae throughout the world (light green areas).Solanaceae occupy a great number of different ecosystems, from deserts to rainforests, and are often found in the secondary vegetation that colonizes disturbed areas.Female P. operculella use the leaves to lay their eggs and the hatched larvae will eat away at the mesophyll of the leaf.The following taxonomic synopsis of the Solanaceae, including subfamilies, tribes and genera, is based on the most recent molecular phylogenetics studies of the family:[2][3][25][26].This subfamily is characterised by the presence of pericyclic fibres, an androecium with four or five stamens, frequently didynamous.The subfamily consists of eight genera (divided into three tribes) and about 195 species distributed throughout the Americas.This subfamily is characterized by the presence of drupes as fruit and seeds with curved embryos and large fleshy cotyledons.Some authors suggest their molecular data indicate the monotypic genera Tsoala Bosser & D'Arcy should be included in this subfamily, endemic to Madagascar, and Metternichia to the southeast of Brazil.Molecular phylogenetic studies of the tribe indicate it is the sister of Nicotiana, and the genera Anthocercis, Anthotroche, Grammosolen , and Symonanthus are monophyletic.Some characteristics are also thought to be derived from within the tribe, such as the unilocular stamens with semicircular opercula, bracteolate flowers, and berries as fruit.Some characteristics are also thought to be derived from within the tribe, such as the unilocular stamens with semicircular opercula, bracteolate flowers, and berries as fruit.Nicotiana L. , genus widely distributed, with 52 American species, 23 Australian, and one African.Molecular phylogenetics indicates that Petunioideae is the sister clade of the subfamilies with chromosome number x=12 (Solanoideae and Nicotianoideae).Benthamiella, Combera, and Pantacantha form a clade that can be categorized as a tribe (Benthamielleae) that should be in the subfamily Goetzeoideae.The Schizanthoideae include annual and biennial plants with tropane alkaloids, without pericyclic fibres, with characteristic hair and pollen grains.This is present in Schizanthoidae due both to the genetic constraints of early divergence (see below) as well as Schizanthus evolution and presence in open habitats.Schizanthus is a somewhat atypical genus among the Solanaceae due to its strongly zygomorphic flowers and basic chromosome number.[25][26] The great diversity of flower types within Schizanthus has been the product of the species' adaptation to the different types of pollinators that existed in the Mediterranean, high alpine, and desert ecosystems then present in Chile and adjacent areas of Argentina.Annual plants with pericyclic fibres, their flowers are zygomorphic, the androecium has four didynamous stamens or three staminodes; the embryo is straight and short.Physalis peruviana (Cape gooseberry), the persistent calyx surrounds the fruit.Datureae G.Don , two genera are perfectly differentiated at both the morphological and molecular levels, Brugmansia includes tree species, while Datura contains herbs or shrubs, the latter genus can be divided into three sections: Stramonium , Dutra and Ceratocaulis .[34] The monotypic genus Trompettia has recently been created to accommodate the Bolivian shrub formerly known as Iochroma cardenasianum - now known to belong to Datureae and not Physaleae as previously thought., two genera are perfectly differentiated at both the morphological and molecular levels, includes tree species, while contains herbs or shrubs, the latter genus can be divided into three sections: , and .The monotypic genus Trompettia has recently been created to accommodate the Bolivian shrub formerly known as - now known to belong to Datureae and not Physaleae as previously thought.Solandreae Miers Subtribe Juanulloinae consists 10 genera of trees and epiphytic shrubs with a neotropical distribution .[36] Some of these genera ( Dyssochroma , Merinthopodium and Trianaea ) show a clear dependency on various species of bats both for pollination and dispersion of seeds.The cosmopolitan genus Lycium is the oldest in the tribe and it has the greatest morphological variability.[38] Molecular phylogenetic studies suggest both Grabowskia and Phrodus should be included in the Lycium , [39] and this genus, along with Nolana and Sclerophylax , form a clade (Lyciina), which currently lacks a taxonomic category.[27] The red fleshy berries dispersed by birds are the main type of fruit in Lycium .Molecular phylogenetic studies suggest both and should be included in the , and this genus, along with and , form a clade (Lyciina), which currently lacks a taxonomic category.are mostly herbs and small shrubs with succulent leaves, they have very beautiful flowers that range from white to various shades of blue, their fruit is schizocarpal, giving rise to various nuts.are mostly herbs and small shrubs with succulent leaves, they have very beautiful flowers that range from white to various shades of blue, their fruit is schizocarpal, giving rise to various nuts.The members of this subtribe are characterized by being woody shrubs or small trees with attractive tubular or rotated flowers.They also possess great floral diversity, containing every type is present in the family.Their flowers can be red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, or white.The corolla can be tubular to rotated, with a variation of up to eight times in the length of the tube between the various species., a monophyletic subtribe, contains 10 genera and includes herbs or woody shrubs with yellow, white, or purple solitary axillary flowers pollinated by bees.Leucophysalis Rydberg , includes 3 species from the south west of the United States and Mexico.Salpichroa Miers , genus with 15 species from the Andes and other regions of South America.Larnax Miers , many taxonomists consider it to be a synonym for Deprea , contains 22 species native to the Andes.Physaliastrum Makino , with 10 Asiatic species (genus recently subsumed in Withania ).Solanum L.
, the largest genus in the family and one of the broadest of the angiosperms, with 1,328 species distributed across the whole world.Solanum – the genus that typifies the family - includes nearly 50% of the total species of the solanaceas.Nicotiana tabacum, originally from South America, is now cultivated throughout the world to produce tobacco.Their importance lies in the fact that they can host pathogens or diseases of the cultivated plants, therefore their presence increases the loss of yield or the quality of the harvested product.An example of this can be seen with Acnistus arborescens and Browalia americana that host thrips, which cause damage to associated cultivated plants,[43] and certain species of Datura that play host to various types of virus that are later transmitted to cultivated solanaceas.[44] Some species of weeds such as, Solanum mauritianum in South Africa represent such serious ecological and economic problems that studies are being carried out with the objective of developing a biological control through the use of insects.A wide variety of plant species and their cultivars belonging to the Solanaceae are grown as ornamental trees, shrubs, annuals and herbaceous perennials[46] Examples include Brugmansia x candida ("Angel's Trumpet") grown for its large pendulous trumpet-shaped flowers, or Brunfelsia latifolia, whose flowers are very fragrant and change colour from violet to white over a period of 3 days.Other shrub species that are grown for their attractive flowers are Lycianthes rantonnetii (Blue Potato Bush or Paraguay Nightshade) with violet-blue flowers and Nicotiana glauca ("Tree Tobacco") Other solanaceous species and genera that are grown as ornamentals are the petunia (Petunia × hybrida), Lycium, Solanum, Cestrum, Calibrachoa × hybrida and Solandra.There is even a hybrid between Petunia and Calibrachoa (which constitutes a new nothogenus called × Petchoa G. Boker & J.
Shaw) that is being sold as an ornamental.[47][48] Many other species, in particular those that produce alkaloids, are used in pharmacology and medicine (Nicotiana, Hyoscyamus, and Datura).Many of the species belonging to this family, among them tobacco and the tomato, are model organisms that are used for research into fundamental biological questions.One of the aspects of the solanaceas' genomics is an international project that is trying to understand how the same collection of genes and proteins can give rise to a group of organisms that are so morphologically and ecologically different.So chromosomes 1 and 10 were sequenced in the United States, 3 and 11 in China, 2 in Korea, 4 in Britain, 5 in India, 7 in France, 8 in Japan, 9 in Spain and 12 in Italy. .
Should I eat Nightshade Vegetables?
Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and peppers all belong to the same botanical family, commonly known as nightshades.However, today most people eat “edible” nightshades every day in the form of French fries, mashed potatoes, salsa, spaghetti sauce, ketchup, and many other popular foods.Nightshade vegetables contain enough toxins to cause inflammation in some people, particularly those with autoimmune disease.Red pepper seasonings (paprika, chili powder, cayenne, curry, etc.).Read labels: terms like “spices” and “natural flavors” often contain the above seasonings, and “starch” often comes from potatoes.Unfortunately, Glycoalkaloids can have a similar effect in humans, increasing our inflammation, overactivating our immune system, and causing permeability in our intestinal membranes (known as leaky gut), all of which contribute to autoimmune disease.As with any food sensitivity, the only way to find out is to remove nightshades from your diet for a couple of weeks to see if you feel better.However, given what we know about nightshade chemicals, common sense tells us that these foods are well worth exploring as potential culprits. .
What Are Nightshade Vegetables and Why Are They Bad?
Nightshades reportedly worsen arthritis and other health conditions, although there is no solid scientific evidence to validate the claim.Another plant, the black nightshade (scientific name: Solanum nigrum) is also generally considered poisonous.However, fully ripened fruit, leaves and stems of the black nightshade are cooked and eaten in some areas.It is claimed that these compounds can aggravate inflammation in the body, thereby worsening chronic health conditions, particularly arthritis.Researchers suggest that if you feel that these vegetables worsen your symptoms you may remove them from your diet for a few days.Potatoes: These are rich in antioxidants (such as flavonoids, carotenoids and phenolic acids), potassium and fiber.Thus, there seems to be no proven association between nightshade vegetables and health conditions, such as arthritis, migraines, osteoporosis and autoimmune diseases.For most people, including nightshade vegetables in the diet can help them stay fit and healthy. .
Are Nightshade Vegetables Bad For You? What About Lectins
But unfortunately, a few self-professed “experts” in nutrition are now decrying these foods as the biggest danger in the American diet.Lectins, these authors insist, incite a form of chemical warfare in our bodies that leads to everything from arthritis, digestive problems, adult acne, high cholesterol, and brain muddiness to weight gain.While it’s true that some lectins, especially those found in uncooked or undercooked beans, can cause some gastrointestinal problems, “it’s a problem easily avoided with cooking,” points out Kimberly Gomer, Director of Nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami.Moreover, there is nothing – that’s right, nothing – in major medical journals to support any claims that lectins are dietary public enemy #1.The healthiest and longest-living people – those living in “Blue Zone” areas like Okinawa, Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, and Loma Linda, California, home of many Seventh Day Adventists – typically get about two-thirds of their calories from whole grains, beans, and starchy vegetables.There is no doubt that obesity is far less common in Blue Zone areas despite the fact that people in all these long-living populations have a much higher intake of lectin-rich plant foods than the average American,” notes Gomer.But even in fairly large amounts, they appear to cause only minimal GI problems, and often in people who are not accustomed to eating them.“Overall, the lectins found in zucchini, carrots, rhubarb, beets, mushrooms, asparagus, turnips, cucumbers, pumpkin, sweet peppers, and radishes, whether cooked or consumed raw, do not appear to cause significant GI problems,” assures Gomer.“Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit, and berries, including blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, and many other fruits like pomegranate, grapes, cherries, quinces, apples, watermelon, banana, papaya, plums, and currants are also sources of dietary lectins.”.Other sources of dietary lectins are chocolate, coffee, and some spices, including caraway, nutmeg, peppermint, marjoram and garlic.“There is no evidence I am aware of that supports any claims that dietary lectins are bad for you, or that they somehow promote obesity,” sums up Kimberly Gomer, MS, RD, Director of Nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center.“The preponderance of credible scientific evidence suggests that eating a diet high in lectin-containing whole plant foods, including nightshade vegetables, is far more likely to promote a leaner body, better health, and longevity than the weight gain and other maladies recent diet book authors have claimed.”. .
