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Are nightshade vegetables dangerous or healthy?

Geschreven door: Lars Keijzers

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Gepubliceerd op:

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Leesduur: 3 min

Nightshade vegetables are a term unfamiliar to many people. These vegetables belong to the Solanaceae family. This is a group of plants that contain powerful alkaloids but can also be very poisonous.

Now you might be wondering: Are nightshade vegetables safe to eat? I'll explain in this article!

Nightshade vegetables contain solanine, but are safe to eat when fully ripe. However, they can cause inflammation in sensitive individuals.

Examples include potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, chili peppers, and blueberries, which are often found in everyday dishes.

They are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which means they offer several health benefits and are not dangerous.

What are nightshade vegetables

Nightshade vegetables are the edible parts of flowering plants belonging to the Solanaceae family. This plant family contains over 2,000 different species.

The origin of the name is unclear, but some nightshade plants are said to have been used as narcotics in the past. This plant family is known to contain toxins.

Eating some nightshade plants can be fatal, while nightshade vegetables fall under the same group…

The toxic substance in nightshade plants is solanine. Ingestion of 200-400 mg can cause symptoms of poisoning. Symptoms of solanine poisoning include diarrhea, nausea, drowsiness, anxiety, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, and convulsions.(1)

Don't worry... Eating nightshade vegetables isn't dangerous. The solanine content is reduced to a non-toxic level as the vegetables ripen. As long as you eat these vegetables only when they're ripe, you're fine!

However, some people may be sensitive to nightshade vegetables. If you are sensitive to them, it can cause low-grade inflammation and a mild form of brain fog . The best way to test this is to leave these vegetables alone for two weeks and see what the effect is.

List of nightshade vegetables

Without you even realizing it, several very well-known vegetables fall into this group. Nightshade vegetables are actually very healthy because they're a source of healthy nutrients.

Here you will find a list of the most common nightshade vegetables:

  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Eggplants
  • Peppers
  • Chili peppers
  • Blueberries

Several herbs and spices you might use daily in the kitchen are also derived from this group of vegetables, such as chili powder and paprika. Many dishes, therefore, include nightshade vegetables as an ingredient.

Ketchup is a world-famous sauce based on a nightshade vegetable, namely tomatoes!

A rich source of healthy nutrients

So, nightshade vegetables aren't dangerous at all, because the solanine content is no longer toxic once the vegetables are ripe. On the contrary, this group of vegetables is actually very healthy! They're rich in various healthy nutrients. I'll explain this in more detail below.

Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the most popular foods in Western Europe. They're a source of various vitamins, including A, B, C, and E, along with several minerals like zinc, iron, and potassium. They also contain other nutrients such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and various forms of phytonutrients that are beneficial for your health.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a staple in countless dishes because they're packed with healthy nutrients. They're a rich source of vitamins A, B6 , and C. They also contain fiber and minerals like potassium, iron, and manganese. Finally, tomatoes contain various carcinogens, including the powerful antioxidant lycopene.

Eggplants

Eggplants are a good source of dietary fiber and minerals like manganese. They also contain many antioxidants that protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

Peppers

Bell peppers are packed with vitamin C. A green bell pepper even contains more vitamin C than an orange. Perfect when you need a boost! Of all the nightshade vegetables, bell peppers are the tastiest snack.

Chili peppers

Chili peppers are packed with capsaicins, which is what makes them so "hot." These capsaicins boost your metabolism, which can help with weight management. Chili peppers are also packed with other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium.

Blueberries

Blueberries are known as a superfood because they're a very rich source of nutrients. They're high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They also contain various flavonoids, including anthocyanin. This substance is beneficial for cognitive function and learning performance.

Nightshade vegetables are healthy

In short, nightshade vegetables are not dangerous at all. As long as you eat them when they're ripe, they contain too low a concentration of solanine to be poisonous. So you won't even notice a thing!

Nightshade vegetables are actually rich in nutrients that offer various health benefits. This makes them healthy, not dangerous!

Lars Keijzers

Lars is a biobased chemist with an insatiable interest in nutrition and science. He also enjoys exploring personal development and can be found regularly at the local gym.

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