Ashleigh Smith
Nightshade vegetables are one of the families of plants that get a lot of gossip thrown around about them. But what are they? Nightshade vegetables are the edible portions of some plants from the Solanaceae family.
These plants are known for their antioxidants and anti-inflamatory phytonutrients making their fruit a great addition to your regular diet. However, it is recommended that you avoid consuming their leaves.
Nightshade foliage often contains high concentrations of the alkaloid solanine. This is a substance within the leaves and stems that contains nitrogen. In nature it acts as a natural insect repellent protecting your plants from potential insect threats throughout the growing season.
Consuming these leaves would be dangerous as the concentration of alkaloids would cause severe reactions and may even be poisonous. However, because the fruits of these plants contain extremely little to no alkaloids with an abundance of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals they can be utilized in your everyday cooking.
Like all foods you can have varying levels of sensitivities and reactions to eating nightshade fruits. If you notice any swelling, numbing, hives, or other reactions occuring after eating any fruit or vegetable, nightshade or not, visit your healthcare provider. While nightshade fruits offer many health benefits, some people may need to avoid including them in their diets.
Some of the most common nightshade fruits and vegetables include Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Peppers, Eggplant, and potatoes. Of these, the only vegetable to produce any solanine are potatoes when they turn green in response to light reactions during growth. At this point the potatoes should be discarded and not eaten.
Some claims are made that nightshade fruits contribute to autoimmune diseases, however further research is needed for conclusions to these claims. For diet related advice tailored to you, schedule a visit with your local healthcare providers and dieticians.
About the Author
I'm Ashleigh Smith, a native to Northern Utah. I first gained a love of gardening with my grandmother as I helped her each summer. I decided to make a career of it and have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. My studies have focused on plant production while I also have experience in Nursery & Garden Center Operations.
Become a True Leaf Market Brand Ambassador! You’ll enjoy awesome perks, free products and exclusive swag & offers! Help us create a gardening revolution and help others experience the joy of growing!
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
0 Comments
No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation
Further Reading
Cultivating Christmas Traditions
Written By Lara Wadsworth The phrase “Christmas time is here!” will soon echo through your speakers and messaging all around. Most American families, regardless of religion, seem to be celebrating this massive holiday in one way or another. Some may fo...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-11-268 min read0Giving Tuesday: Turning Gratitude Into Action
There are a million ways to make the world better. But nothing can happen without action. The best way to make a difference is to start serving, donating, and seeing the people who are within your reach. Big, honorable stories often begin with someone ...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-11-193 min read1Giving Thanks: The Origins and Traditions of Thanksgiving
Written By Lara Wadsworth One of the most quintessential American holidays is Thanksgiving. With families gathered together, sharing copious amounts of food, and many groups watching either football or televised parades, it is hard to see the true orig...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-11-158 min read1Power Up with Nutrient-Dense Superfoods to Optimize Your Health
Written By Lara Wadsworth Everyone is looking for the easiest and quickest ways to be healthy. Yet, everyone seems to have a different opinion about what that means and how to get there. Superfoods are those few foods that are scientifically backed by ...
Ashleigh Smith
2024-11-158 min read1