Normally, potatoes and other nightshade vegetables have an acceptable amount of alkaloids in them. You may feel some effects if you eat between two to five milligrams of solanine per kilogram of body weight. If you weigh around 150 pounds (68 kilograms) you would need to consume a minimum of 136 milligrams of solanine to feel ill.
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.
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Tomatoes contain more alkaloids in the stem and vine than in the fruit. Studies show that as tomatoes mature, the amount of alkaloids in the part that you eat decreases. So, it is unlikely to eat too many alkaloids from tomatoes, especially if you avoid unripe, green tomatoes.
Overall, there is no hard evidence that nightshade vegetables are bad for your health. Some preliminary research shows these vegetables may not be the best for people with certain inflammatory and auto-immune conditions like arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. However, nightshades don’t cause inflammation directly. They may increase inflammation that is already there.
How do you know if nightshades are bad for you? Experts recommend eliminating them from your diet for a few weeks. Then, reintroduce them and see how you feel. If you feel worse after reintroduction, you may have a sensitivity to nightshades.
Whether or not there is any conclusive evidence about nightshades and inflammation, you should never eat any foods that make you feel bad, or that worsen any conditions you have.
Benefits of Nightshades
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