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.
Sensitivities and allergies
One of these groups includes people with arthritis, as some claim that eliminating nightshades provides pain relief. There's an older theory that nightshades contain a form of vitamin D that causes calcium deposits that may contribute to joint pain and other arthritis symptoms.
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.
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.
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.
Here's a list of vegetables that people often think are nightshades, but are not nightshades: Black pepper. Coffee. Cucumbers.
No, ginger is not a nightshade, it does not produce a compound to protect it self from insects, etc.
Cumin is a seed spice (so, not AIP) that's nightshade-free and has a great kick to it. One thing to note is that it's green!
But I also repeatedly get questions about what I tell people not to eat: the infamous 4 members of the nightshade family - tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and bell-pepper; and onion and garlic. There seems to be growing confusion about whether or not these are good for you.
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.
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.
Nightshade spices usually give food a hot kick. You can still get this sensation through non-nightshade spices like ginger, garlic, horseradish and wasabi.
Curry spice powder. Eggplants/aubergines. Garam Masala spice – because it contains peppers.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that's a member of the nightshade family, and thus a distant cousin to tomatoes and eggplants. It also goes by Withania somnifera, Indian ginseng, and winter cherry.
Nightshades contain an alkaloid called solanine. Some people believe its presence can cause inflammation of the joints, though research is not definitive. Nightshade allergies aren't uncommon, but they're not widespread, either. If you suspect you have an allergy or intolerance to nightshades, talk to an allergist.
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.
What Are Nightshades? Members of the family Solanaceae, common nightshades include white (but not sweet) potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers, both the eye-watering chilies and the sweeter bell peppers.
Nightshades are a botanical family of foods and spices that contain chemical compounds called alkaloids, explains registered dietitian Ryanne Lachman. Common edible nightshades include: Tomatoes. Potatoes (but not sweet potatoes).
Cinnamon belongs to the family Lauraceae and is not a nightshade. Nightshades are members of the family of flowering plants known as Solanaceae, which includes jimsonweed, henbane, mandrake, belladonna, capsicums (paprika, chili peppers, etc.), eggplant, potato, tomato, tobacco, and petunia.