Foods that are not nightshades, but often get mistaken for them. Zucchini, cucumbers, and mushrooms are not nightshades, even though many people think they are.
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.
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.
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.
Tomatoes and Avocados are fruits and not vegetables. Tomatoes belong to the Nightshade fruit family while Avocados belong to the Laurels family.
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.
Zucchini is not a nightshade. Cucumbers are not nightshades. Coffee is not a nightshade. Squash is not a nightshade.
Here's a list of vegetables that people often think are nightshades, but are not nightshades: Black pepper. Coffee. Cucumbers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Although there is a plant known as "Watermelon Nightshade" due to it's leaves resembling watermelon vine leaves, watermelons are not a member of the nightshade family. Common nightshade foods include tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, bell pepper, tomatillo, chili peppers, paprika and others.
Asparagus isn't a nightshade. Some common nightshades are tomatoes, potatoes (but not sweet potatoes, eggplant, all peppers, red spices, and tobacco.
Nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, brinjal and capsicum may sometimes be dangerous! The word Nightshade reminds us of a comic book character.
Some people may have a minor intolerance to nightshade plants. This is because they aren't able to digest them fully. People with a food intolerance may experience gas, bloating, and diarrhea. In more extreme cases, they may experience fatigue and joint pain. Allergies to nightshade plants are considered very rare.
The Most Common Nightshades
Some of the most popular nightshades are potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, and chili peppers. But because various spices and spice mixes are made from chili peppers, nightshades can be found in a whole host of processed foods!
Anti-inflammatory foods
green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards. nuts like almonds and walnuts. fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines.
Soda and other sweet drinks are the main culprits. Anti-inflammatory diet experts often say you should cut out all added sugars, including agave and honey. High-fat and processed red meat (like hot dogs): These have a lot of saturated fat, which can cause inflammation if you get more than a small amount each day.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as cod, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements.