Some people believe that the solanine contained in nightshade vegetables may cause inflammation, or make inflammation related to arthritis worse. While some people may report a worsening of symptoms when eating nightshades that contain solanine, there is no research to support that solanine has a direct effect on inflammation or arthritis pain.
Instead, these symptoms may be caused by or related to a food sensitivity to the nightshade family. A 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.
Despite this, if a person believes that they may have a food intolerance or food allergy to nightshades, they can remove them from their diet and make a note of any effects that this has to their symptoms.
If a person wishes to eliminate nightshades from the diet, they can replace them with other non-nightshade vegetables, such as:. Nightshade vegetables are part of the plant family Solanaceae.
Some species are toxic, including the belladonna plant, which is also called deadly nightshade. Other species are commonly cultivated and eaten by humans. Solanine is found in trace amounts in potatoes and is normally safe, though the leafy stalks of the potato plant and green potatoes are toxic, and solanine poisoning has been reported from eating green potatoes.
Certain nightshade vegetables can be excellent sources of nutrients, including vitamins , protein, and fiber. Eggplant is an ingredient used in many diets, including the Mediterranean diet and is stocked in most grocery stores. Eggplant is a good source of fiber, potassium , and vitamin B-1, B-6, and K. Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including biotin , potassium, iron, and zinc. They cause inflammation. No tomatoes? Considering most people had never even heard of nightshades before, Campbell's intense statements really shook up the produce aisle.
Suddenly, people were nervous about eating vegetables , of all things. Fast forward to, well, right now, and many people still have tons of questions about nightshades, what they are, and whether they are, in fact, healthy. Nightshades are a group of foods that belong to a family of plants called the Solanacea family and are high in solanine, a naturally occurring toxic compound, says Sonya Angelone, RD, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Nightshades can generally be broken up into two camps: those that are edible and those that are toxic to humans, explains Scott Keatley, RD, of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy.
Don't worry too much about the toxic ones; You won't find 'em at the supermarket. The edible nightshades, though, consist of peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes. The reason for the nightshade drama, though: They also contain compounds called alkaloids that can cause inflammation in some people. Glycoalkaloids are a group of chemicals found in nightshade vegetables that form when a sugar molecule combines with an alkaloid molecule, Keatley explains.
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. In two separate studies on mice with IBD, the alkaloids in potatoes were found to adversely affect intestinal permeability and increase intestinal inflammation 11 , Additionally, two test-tube studies suggest that chemicals called lectins in tomatoes and capsaicin in peppers may also increase intestinal permeability 13 , This limited research in animals and test tubes suggests that people with IBD may benefit from eliminating or reducing nightshades.
But research is needed in humans before more definitive recommendations can be made. 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 , Some experts believe that leaky gut could contribute to higher levels of inflammation all over the body that worsen disease symptoms 17 , 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.
Some animal studies suggest that nightshades could have negative effects in people with IBD, but more research is needed in humans before recommendations to eliminate nightshades can be made. Other groups of people without autoimmune conditions claim that eliminating nightshades has dramatically improved their health. These people are often said to have sensitivities to nightshades.
One of these groups includes people with arthritis, as some claim that eliminating nightshades provides pain relief. It is true that a vitamin D-like substance was discovered in plants in the nightshade family. And some studies have reported that animals feeding on these plants have developed calcium deposits in soft tissues, which cause health problems 19 , 20 , In addition to nightshade sensitivities, in rare cases, some people have allergies to specific nightshade vegetables.
Symptoms of an allergy vary but can include skin rashes, hives, itching in the throat, swelling, and difficulty breathing 22 , If you experience any of these symptoms when you eat a particular nightshade vegetable, it would be wise to stop eating that particular food and seek medical advice for further testing. Others have rare allergies to nightshades. 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 decide to do this, completely eliminate all nightshades and products containing these vegetables for at least 4 weeks. Raw, bell peppers are a good addition to salads or as a snack with hummus. Cooked peppers are also delicious so try peppers grilled or roasted with other vegetables like zucchini and onion, or a stuffed bell pepper. Potatoes can be baked or roasted with herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.
Look for deep purple potatoes at specialty grocers for an extra dose of antioxidants. Try potato leek soup or oven baked fries. Learn more about how Samaritan Cancer Program supports you during and after cancer treatment. Back to News Print. Nutrient-rich Nightshades Nightshades can be a great source of nutrition.
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