Nightshade plants contain different types of alkaloid compounds, food factors that cause physiological changes in the body. The origin of the name “nightshade” is not clear, but some suggest the name describes how these plants prefer to grow and flower in the night and shade.
We debunk common myths about nightshade vegetables. Take the nightshade vegetables or Solanaceae, a plant family that includes eggplant, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes. (The term “nightshade” may have been coined because some of these plants prefer to grow in shady areas, and some flower at night.)
Nightshade is a family of plants that includes tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers. Tobacco is also in the nightshade family. Nightshades are unique because they contain small amounts of alkaloids. Alkaloids are chemicals that are mainly found in plants.
Some of these negative side effects include gas, bloating, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea and joint pain due to inflammation. There are many factors to nightshade intolerance because every individual's digestive system is unique. However, research suggests underlying issues may be the real cause of the intolerance.
Tomatoes and Avocados are fruits and not vegetables. Tomatoes belong to the Nightshade fruit family while Avocados belong to the Laurels family.
And everyone's favorite cruciferous veggie, broccoli, is also not on the nightshade vegetable list. Colorful fruits and vegetables like blueberries and broccoli are often mistaken for nightshades. But these fruits and veggies are actually full of antioxidants.
Zucchini is not a nightshade. Cucumbers are not nightshades. Coffee is not a nightshade. Squash is not a nightshade.
Are sweet potatoes nightshades? Sweet potatoes are among the foods that are commonly mistaken as nightshade vegetables, but they're not nightshades.
Although the berries might be the most tempting part of Deadly nightshade, all parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested. It causes a range of symptoms including blurred vision, a rash, headaches, slurred speech, hallucinations, convulsions and eventually death.
Recently, nightshades vegetables have picked up a reputation as being inflammatory and some diets recommend avoiding them. Inflammation is linked to chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis or psoriasis, and foods that cause inflammation can make existing conditions worse.
Blueberries are not technically a nightshade plant. But, like nightshades, they contain some solanine. Blueberries have been called a “superfood” because they contain antioxidant compounds.
Solanine is concentrated in the leafy greens bugs try to eat, one major reason why we only eat the tomato or pepper fruit, not the rest of the plant. It can also be found in foods that aren't part of the nightshade family, including blueberries, apples, cherries, and artichokes.
Alkaloids can be dangerous in large doses. In fact, there are many other plants in the nightshade family that are poisonous to humans (like, ahem, tobacco). Even though they contain low levels of alkaloids, edible nightshades might, to some people, seem guilty by association.
Nightshades are excellent for you. Besides providing gut-loving fiber, nightshade vegetables (some of which are actually fruits!) also provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, like carotenoids (in tomatoes), vitamin C (in tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes), and anthocyanin (in eggplant).
Zucchini, cucumbers, and mushrooms are not nightshades, even though many people think they are.
While this is a common misconception, no, beets are root vegetables, not nightshade vegetables. Nightshade vegetables can be linked to causing inflammation whereas beets can prevent it. Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, bell peppers and spices sourced from peppers are all examples of nightshade vegetables.
While beans are often avoided in diets that avoid nightshades (like AIP), beans are not nightshades themselves. They do, however, contain lectins. Lectins are proteins found in both beans and nightshades.
The theory goes that members of the plant family Solanaceae – which includes tomatoes, capsicums, chilli peppers, eggplant and potatoes – contain toxins designed to stop us from eating them, which are damaging to our health. Capsicums and tomatoes are considered to be "nightshade" vegetables. Shutterstock.
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.
Strawberries are not nightshades; in fact, they're part of the rose family! A strawberry is not actually a berry. By technical definition, a berry is a fleshy fruit produced from a single seed.
Refined carbohydratesFoods that contain flour, such as breads and crackers, and foods such as white rice and instant mashed potatoes are high-glycemic foods that cause inflammation.
Asparagus isn't a nightshade. Some common nightshades are tomatoes, potatoes (but not sweet potatoes, eggplant, all peppers, red spices, and tobacco.