are all potatoes nightshades

Nightshade vegetables belong to the family of plants with the Latin name Solanaceae

. Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are all common nightshades. Many are rich sources of nutrients and serve as staple foods for various cultures.

Full Answer

Are potatoes members of the nightshade family?

Potatoes Potatoes are part of the nightshade family. This includes white, red, yellow and blue-skinned potato varieties. However according to the University of California, San Francisco sweet potatoes and yam are not nightshades.

Which vegetables are nightshade vegetables?

The Culprits: Foods on the Nightshade List

• Eggplant (Fruit)
• Tomatoes (Fruit)
• Tomatillo (Fruit)
• Potatoes (Vegetable)
• Goji Berries (Fruit)
• Pimentos (Fruit)
• Peppers (Bell, Chili, Paprika, Cayenne) (Fruit)
• Tobacco (Leaf) 4

What vegetables are in the nightshade family?

Top foods in the nightshade family include:

• Eggplant
• Tomatoes
• Capsicum
• Peppers
• White potatoes
• Gooseberries
• Ground cherries
• Goji berries
• Paprika
• Tomatillos

More items...

What are nightshade vegetables and are they bad for You?

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. This idea comes from the fact that poisonous berries called “nightshade” are also in the solanaceae family.

What potato is not a nightshade?

Sweet potatoesSweet potatoes are among the foods that are commonly mistaken as nightshade vegetables, but they're not nightshades.

Are all potatoes in the nightshade family?

Nightshade vegetables belong to the family of plants with the Latin name Solanaceae. Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are all common nightshades.

Are Russet potatoes a nightshade vegetable?

Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and white potatoes are all what's known as nightshade vegetables. They belong to a plant family called the Solanaceae family, which, fascinatingly, also encompasses deadly, inedible plants like tobacco, belladonna, and mandrake.

Are purple potatoes nightshades?

The word nightshades is just a name for a category of plants, some of which are edible, like eggplant, tomatoes, white and purple potatoes, artichokes, and peppers, while others such as tobacco and certain flowers are not.

Are carrots a nightshade?

Carrots are not on the nightshades vegetable list either. If a recipe calls for the use of peppers, or other nightshade vegetables, try using raw carrots or onions instead.

Is Onion a nightshade?

Plants in the Solanaceae family are informally referred to as nightshade plants. Onions, including red onions, are not in the Solanaceae or nightshade family.

Are blueberries a nightshade?

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.

Is Bacon a nightshade?

Many snack foods and meats commonly contain nightshades, so we've compiled a list of our nightshade-free offerings: Sugar Free Pork Bacon.

Are Yukon potatoes a nightshade?

Potato -- Russet - Yukon Gold - Idaho. L. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, grown for its starchy tuber.

Are chickpeas a nightshade?

nightshade vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, goji berries, peppers, and eggplant. all legumes, such as lentils, beans, peanuts, and chickpeas.

Is cauliflower a nightshade?

If a person wishes to eliminate nightshades from their diet, they can replace them with other nonnightshade vegetables, such as: sweet potatoes. yams. cauliflower.

Are strawberries a nightshade?

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.

Which potatoes are part of the nightshade family?

Common nightshade vegetables that we eat include: white potatoes. tomatoes. eggplant.

Are Yukon potatoes a nightshade?

Potato -- Russet - Yukon Gold - Idaho. L. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, grown for its starchy tuber.

What makes a potato a nightshade?

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.

Are avocados a nightshade?

Tomatoes and Avocados are fruits and not vegetables. Tomatoes belong to the Nightshade fruit family while Avocados belong to the Laurels family. They have been misplaced and wrongly categorised as vegetables for a long time.

Where are nightshade vegetables found?

While you’ll find all sorts of potatoes, tomatoes, and other members of the Solanaceae (aka nightshade) family all over the world, nightshade vegetables are most abundant in tropical climates like that of Latin America.

How Do These Toxic Compounds Work Exactly?

Well, they grip onto cholesterol in your body’s cell membranes. Now, the cholesterol is there to strengthen your cell membranes so they’re less permeable to molecules that may want to pass through and cause damage to the cell.

Are Carrots And Onions Nightshade Vegetables?

As mentioned above, plants in the Solanaceae family are referred to as nightshades. However, onions are not in the nightshade family. Onions are members of the Liliaceae family. In fact, red and yellow onions are actually varieties of the exact same species: Allium cepa.

How much nicotine is in ripe nightshades?

And, would you believe, the nicotine content in riper nightshades can range anywhere from 2 to 7 micrograms per kg of the food.

Why do glycoalkaloids strike?

It’s the perfect place for glycoalkaloids to strike because once the cholesterol is attacked, your cells could split or leak. 6 This can lead to some tough health issues.

Why do people become addicted to nightshade?

Now some researchers have discussed the possibility of nicotine being the reason some people become addicted to nightshade foods. Do you feel like you can’t give these foods up? It could be the nicotine .

How much tomatine is in a tomato?

Now, tomatine content changes due to the maturity of the plant. For instance, an immature green tomato could consist of approximately 500 mg/kg of tomatine, while red, riper tomatoes might only have about 5 mg/kg of the glycoalkaloid.9.

Are Nightshades Bad For Your Health?

While some alkaloids have positive effects on human health, others can affect them negatively. For example, the chemicals found in tobacco, a nightshade plant, can cause cancer.

How much solanine is in eggplant?

For context, one eggplant has about 11 milligrams of solanine. Studies show that potatoes can contain anywhere from 25-275 micrograms of alkaloids. The amount depends on the type of potato and where it was grown. Continued. Tomatoes contain more alkaloids in the stem and vine than in the fruit.

What is the alkaloid in nightshades?

The alkaloid found in nightshades is solanine. It functions as an insecticide while the plant is growing. Eating too much solanine can make you feel bad. When potatoes turn green, they have more alkaloids in them, and they taste more bitter.

What vegetables have alkaloids?

If you're concerned about high alkaloid content in nightshade vegetables but still want to benefit from including them in your diet, there are a few things you can try: In potatoes, the highest concentration of alkaloids is in the skin.

How to store potatoes before eating?

Store potatoes in a dark, cool place to prevent them from producing more alkaloids before you eat them.

What is the difference between nightshade and vegetable?

The Difference Between Nightshade Fruits and Vegetables. Tomatoes are often thought of as being in the vegetable family due to their savory flavor, but they are actually a fruit. Fruit is an edible part of a plant that develops from a flower and contains seeds. Peppers and eggplant are also technically nightshade fruits.

Why are night shades unique?

Nightshades are unique because they contain small amounts of alkaloids. Alkaloids are chemicals that are mainly found in plants. For something to be considered an alkaloid, it must contain nitrogen and affect the human body, usually from a medicinal perspective. Morphine and quinine are two examples of plant-based medicines that contain alkaloids.

What are the names of the nightshade vegetables?

Sensitivity & allergy. Elimination. Substitutes. Bottom line. Nightshade vegetables belong to the family of plants with the Latin name Solanaceae. Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are all common nightshades. Many are rich sources of nutrients and serve as staple foods for various cultures.

What are some good foods to eat to help with bowel movements?

This important nutrient helps regulate bowel movements and may lower your risk of heart disease ( 6. Trusted Source. ). Potatoes: Potatoes with the skins on contain fair amounts of potassium, vitamin B6, and manganese ( 7 ).

What family is nightshade?

Nightshade vegetables are the edible parts of flowering plants that belong to the Solanaceae family.

How many carbs are in a potato?

One small potato contains around 30 grams of carbs ( 7 ). People with diabetes or others looking to lower their blood sugar may need to avoid eating too many potatoes. Nightshades are nutrient-dense foods that may provide a number of health benefits through their vitamin, mineral, fiber, and antioxidant content.

Why do people eat nightshades?

Many health professionals encourage you to eat nightshades because of their high nutrient density. This means they pack a lot of nutrients with fewer calories. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are good sources of vitamins A and C. They also contain an antioxidant called lycopene.

What are the herbs and spices that come from eggplant?

eggplants. peppers. potatoes. tobacco. tomatillos. tomatoes. Multiple herbs and spices are also derived from these vegetables, including cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, chili powder, and paprika. Black and white pepper are derived from peppercorns, which are not in the nightshade family.

What fruits are good for nightshades?

Consume citrus fruits. Many nightshadess contain vitamin C, but citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits are also excellent sources.

Is This an Emergency?

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. If you think you may have COVID-19, use the CDC’s Coronavirus Self-Checker .

What is the name of the fruit that hangs like a paper lantern?

Tomatillos have a papery husk and the fruit hangs like small round paper lanterns from the plant. Tomatillos are typically picked when they are still green and used to lend a citrusy tartness to dishes. 6. Goji Berries (and Other Berries) Goji berries fall into the nightshade family, according to PennState Extension.

What does it mean when you have a nightshade sensitivity?

Third generation, players. When you have a nightshade sensitivity, you are unable to fully digest the nightshade vegetable or fruit, leading to digestive complications and other symptoms. Image Credit: bondarillia/iStock/GettyImages. Some people have a sensitivity to nightshade vegetables and fruits, which means they are unable to digest them fully.

What is a nightshade?

But what exactly falls under the category of nightshades? Nightshade vegetables and fruits belong to the family of Solanaceae plants of the Solanum genus , according to the U.S. Forest Service. This group of plants contains more than 2,000 species that are widely used as food and medicine. Below is a list of common nightshade vegetables and fruits that you should avoid if you suspect that you have a nightshade sensitivity or intolerance.

What are the other nightshade berries?

Other berries in the nightshade family include garden huckleberries, ground cherries and cape gooseberries, but not normal gooseberries or blueberries.

What family is peppers in?

Peppers. All peppers belong to the Solanaceae family. This includes common ingredients like bell peppers, jalapeños, habaneros, cayenne peppers and paprika. Paprika, a spice made from ground, dried peppers is used in a variety of cuisines.

What is the best food to avoid if you are allergic to chile?

When in doubt, it's best to avoid a food or dish altogether if you have an allergy or sensitivity. 5. Tomatillos. Tomatillos, another member of the nightshade family, are often used in Mexican cuisine in dishes like chile verde and salsa verde.

What about goji berries?

Your guess is as good as mine . . . I could not locate any scientific information about glycoalkaloids in these foods.

How much tomatine is toxic to mice?

(Fruits: 2, Veggies: 0). There are no dosage studies of tomatine in humans, but studies in mice tell us that 500 mg tomatine per 1 kg body weight (or 227 mg per pound) is the median lethal dose (LD50). This doesn’t tell us how much it would take to kill a 150 lb person; it only tells us that it would take 34 grams of tomatine to kill a 150-pound mouse. Since ripe tomatoes contain 5 mg/kg or 2.3 mg/lb of tomatine, it would take nearly 15,000 pounds of tomatoes to kill this Mighty Mouse (probably many fewer pounds if you were to simply hurl them in his general direction from across the room). Since green tomatoes contain 100 times more tomatine, it would only take 150 pounds of green tomatoes to kill the overgrown rodent. We do not understand the effect of low doses of tomatine over time on any type of animal, including humans.

Why are potatoes bad for you?

Another reason why many people may not be bothered by potatoes is that glycoalkaloids are very poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, so, if you have a healthy digestive tract, most of the glycoalkaloid won’t make it into your bloodstream. However, if you eat potatoes every day, levels can build up over time and accumulate in the body’s tissues and organs, because it takes many days for them to be cleared. Also, since glycoalkaloids have the ability to burst cells open, they can theoretically cause damage to the cells that line your digestive system as they are passing through (this has been proven in animal studies but there are no human studies, to my knowledge).

What are the chemicals in nightshade?

Glycoalkaloids. Glycoalkaloids are natural pesticides produced by nightshade plants. Glycoalkaloids are bitter compounds which are found throughout the plant, but their concentrations are especially high in leaves, flowers, and unripe fruits. They are there to defend plants against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and insects.

Why is eggplant called a mad apple?

Centuries ago, the common eggplant was referred to as “mad apple” due to belief that eating it regularly would cause mental illness. Eggplants produce two glycoalkaloids: alpha-solamargine and alpha-solasonine. Solamargine is more potent than solasonine.

What are the names of the nightshade family?

Meet the nightshade (solanaceae) family. Tomatoes. Tomatillos. Eggplant. Potatoes. Goji Berries. Tobacco. Peppers (bell peppers, chili peppers, paprika, tamales, tomatillos , pimentos, cayenne, etc) At first glance, the nightshades may look like a random collection of foods that couldn’t possibly be related.

What fruits do nightshade plants produce?

However, every nightshade plant produces fruits that all sport that same adorable little green elfish hat. Of the foods above, only tomatoes, eggplants, goji berries and peppers are “fruits” (the potato is a tuber and tobacco is a leaf). The fruits of potato and tobacco plants wear the same telltale hat, but we don’t eat the fruits of those plants.

What are the alkaloids in a nightshade?

1. The Alkaloids. We’ve already mentioned an alkaloid called solanine. But nightshades also contain the alkaloids capsaicin and nicotine (yes, nicotine — tobacco is part of the nightshade family, after all). And all of these alkaloids may have irritating effects on the body.

What are the nutrients in cruciferous vegetables?

Like leafy greens, cruciferous veggies like the ones below are also high in important carotenoid-antioxidants (like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) as well as vitamins C, E, and K; folate; and fiber.

What is a nightshade?

Nightshades are a family of plants known as Solanaceae. The family includes some pretty popular veggies like: It also includes the Belladonna plant (also known as deadly nightshade) – a highly poisonous plant that’s been used medicinally and cosmetically since before the Middle Ages 2.

Why are some people sensitive to alkaloids?

The bottom line with alkaloids is: Though they may not affect everyone, some people are very sensitive to them because they can’t digest them properly. 2. The Lectins. Lectins are toxic proteins found in certain plants. They are thought to be part of a plant’s natural defense mechanism.

What are some good vegetables to watch on TV?

Other Great Veggies. But there are more other great lectin-free, fiber-rich veggies like asparagus, garlic, celery, mushrooms, and onion. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations.

What are tubers in a diet?

Tubers. Tubers include sweet potatoes, yucca, and taro root. The sweet potato is particularly wonderful with health-promoting antioxidants like β‐carotene and anthocyanins — both of which have been shown to protect against certain health issues. 9,10.

What are the nutrients in leafy greens?

The following leafy greens are incredibly high in nutrients (like vitamins A, C, E, and K).

Are Beans Nightshades?

While beans are often avoided in diets that avoid nightshades ( like AIP), beans are not nightshades themselves.

How to know if nightshade is right for you?

How to Determine if Nightshades Are Right for You. Figuring out if you should eat nightshades boils down to determining if you have an allergy or sensitivity to nightshades. If you don't suffer from any symptoms, then nightshades are a nutritious addition to your diet.

Why do potatoes have solanine?

Because potatoes and other nightshades contain solanine, which is an alkaline that is toxic in high concentrations, some nutritionists think repeated exposure to trace amounts of solanine result in inflammation. The plants carry solanine because it acts as a natural defense mechanism against predators [ * ].

Why do plants carry solanine?

The plants carry solanine because it acts as a natural defense mechanism against predators [ * ]. There are also nutritionists who think that lectins (a type of protective protein) found in nightshades are always damaging to the intestines — even when soaking and other cooking methods reduce their potency.

How long do you have to take Nightshades off your diet?

Remove all nightshades from your diet for two weeks and continue to keep track of your symptoms ' eating habits.

What vegetables are not nightshade?

Sweet potatoes are actually yams and not a nightshade or a potato! Mushrooms are fungi and not nightshades. Onions are not nightshades either. Zucchini is not a nightshade. Cucumbers are not nightshades.

What is a nightshade?

Nightshades are the common name for the flowering plant family, Solanaceae, which consists of over two thousand types of vegetables, spices, weeds, fruits, and other flowering plants

• ]. The vast majority aren't eaten by humans, but the ones that are eaten are staples in many diets around the world.

When should nightshade vegetables be avoided?

I mentioned it before, but nightshade vegetables are not necessarily bad. However, if you have an autoimmune disease or chronic inflammation, you may have heard that you should avoid nightshades.

How can I tell if I have a nightshade allergy or intolerance?

Just because you have joint pain does not mean it’s triggered by nightshades, and conversely, just because you don’t have joint pain doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.

How long should I avoid nightshade vegetables?

According to the foods list for the AIP diet ( click here to get a free printable download of this list!), nightshade fruits and vegetables are to be avoided for a minimum of 30 days before reintroduction.

What is a Cape Gooseberry?

Cape gooseberries are a “superfood” that you probably won’t find hidden in any prepared foods. If you’re avoiding nightshades but not on the autoimmune paleo protocol, you might find these in a trail mix.

What vegetables are good for nightshade?

Here is a quick run down of some other common nightshade vegetables: Eggplant. Peppers like bell peppers, sweet peppers, and hot peppers. Potatoes with the exception of sweet potatoes and yams. Tobacco – yes as in chewing and smoking tobacco!

What are the most common seasonings in tacos?

Hot peppers. This includes peppers such as chili peppers, jalapenos, habaneros, chili spices, red pepper, cayenne. These are extremely common seasonings in taco mixes, and any pre-made or packaged foods. Read your labels, and remember – keep an eye out for “spices”!

Can you eat nightshade vegetables on an autoimmune diet?

Because they can be triggers for some people with chronic illness, nightshade vegetables are eliminated during the first phase of the autoimmune protocol diet.