THOSE DEADLY NIGHTSHADES!
Both tomatoes and potatoes are members of the deadly nightshade family, the same family as that most poisonous perennial, Atroppa Beladonna, a.k.a. “deadly nightshade” or “belladonna.” (Eating a single leaf can be fatal for an adult; 2-4 berries, fatal for a child.)
Plants of the nightshade family produce glycoalkaloids, bitter compounds that act as natural pesticides for the plants. How do those alkaloids kill the plants’ pests? They bind to cholesterol in the pests’ cell membranes, causing the membranes to leak or burst open and block a neurotransmitter enzyme. Result? The enzyme accumulates and overstimulates the pest’s muscle cells. This may lead to paralysis, convulsions, respiratory arrest, and death.
Nightshades and Joint Pain
What does all this have to do with tomatoes and potatoes? Being part of the deadly nightshade family, tomatoes and potatoes contain alkaloids. While most of us can eat tomatoes, potatoes, and their nightshade cousins with no ill effect, there are some individuals who are sensitive to the alkaloids in those plants and who react with joint pain and other symptoms, especially if the alkaloids accumulate in their tissues.
Is there any scientific evidence proving that eating nightshade vegetables can cause joint pain? Not according to the Arthritis Foundation, which points out, in fact, vegetables of the nightshade family are very nutritious and actually may be beneficial in fighting arthritis. In addition, they have antioxidant properties and may be protective against cancer.
On the other hand . . .
There is anecdotal evidence that giving up eating nightshade vegetables gives pain relief to some individuals. Is this just the placebo effect?
What Else?
Some have linked the bursting of cell membranes caused by alkaloids to leaky gut syndrome; others have linked the neurotoxicity of alkaloids to neurological disturbances. Again, this is not scientific, but anecdotal, evidence. Symptoms reported include diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea, painful joints, headaches, depression, insomnia, and anxiety.
The Nightshade Family
Are you sensitive to the alkaloids in nightshade vegetables? Should you stop eating them for the sake of your health? The way to find out is, of course, to stop eating them for a period – say, two weeks – and evaluate how you feel. What foods will you need to give up?
Vegetables and fruits: tomatoes, tomatillos, white potatoes (yams and sweet potatoes are O.K.), peppers (all kinds, including bell peppers and chiles), eggplant,and goji berries.
Spices: red pepper, chili pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika.
Beware the Green!
Alkaloids are in heaviest concentration in the green parts of plants, since the compounds act as insecticides while the plant is growing. Did you know that the leaves and stems of potatoes, and tomatoes can be toxic? Don’t let children or pets eat them. Likewise, don’t eat green potatoes and cut out any sprouts or spots on potatoes before eating. There are numerous cases of livestock dying from eating raw potatoes, potato leaves and berries.
What about green tomatoes? Definitely more alkaloids. The riper a tomato gets, the fewer it needs to defend itself against pests.
Safer Potatoes. A potato’s highest alkaloid concentration is in its skin. Peeling potatoes removes virtually all of it. (Too bad that peeling also lessons a potato’s nutrients.) Heating lessens alkaloid content. Dry heat does the best job – i.e., heating potatoes in an oven, as compared to boiling or frying them.
Read Labels. Potato starch is often added to processed foods.
Not All Nightshades Are Equal. Of all the nightshades, peppers have the lowest concentration of alkaloids. Tomato alkaloids are about 20 times less toxic than potato alkaloids. (Green tomatoes have more potent alkaloids than red.) Unlike potatoes, eggplant alkaloids are not located primarily in the skin but in the seeds and the flesh. Eggplant alkaloids are considered relatively nontoxic, compared to potatoes. Goji berries have a relatively high content of atropine, a toxic alkaloid. Some cases have been reported of allergic reactions, but none of poisoning. Goji berries are very important in Chinese medicine.
GARDEN JOURNAL AND PLANNER by Michelle Marsh
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GROCERY STORE GARDEN & JOURNAL by Michelle Marsh
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