Tomatoes and potatoes are poisonous! Read more about nightshade

1. Nightshade. The name already sounds very mysterious and even a bit creepy and ominous. There are more and more dietitians and researchers who are suggesting that “nightshades” should be avoided. To get a little more information about nightshade, I gathered data from scientists, horticulturists, medical researchers, and macrobiotic sources here to see if nightshade is really harmful to health.

1. We look at the facts and fables about nightshade plants, their characteristics, history, effects and why so many people always crave nightshade crops.

What exactly is nightshade?

1. Tomatoes, regular potatoes, red and green peppers, the "hot" peppers such as chili and paprika, as well as aubergine belong to the nightshade family, a botanical genus called Solanaceae.

1. This botanical genus also includes tobacco, poisonous belladonna, and a few other poisonous plants. According to researcher, author and Cornell University instructor, Norman F. Childers, in his scientific report "Nightshade and Health", the origin of the word "Nightshade" is unclear.

2. This botanical genus also includes tobacco, poisonous belladonna, and a few other poisonous plants. According to researcher, author and Cornell University instructor, Norman F. Childers, in his scientific report "The Nightshade and Health", the origin of the word "Nightshade" is not clear.

1. He explains that old English texts described these plants as nightshades because of their character. Another translation of this description could mean that these plants are believed to be more active at night than during the day.

1. Nightshade has been regularly used for malicious purposes throughout history. That is why both the population and scientists were careful with it. Nightshade was used in shamanism, witchcraft, and even murder and suicide. Some nightshade plants are used as an ingredient in powerful narcotic drugs and sleeping pills. It has been regularly reported that nightshade plants contain high amounts of alkaloids. These alkaloids cause the bones to lose calcium and other minerals and trace elements are kept out of the body.

2. Nightshade has been used for malicious purposes regularly throughout history. That is why both the population and scientists were careful with it. Nightshade was used in shamanism, witchcraft, and even murder and suicide. Some nightshade plants are used as an ingredient in powerful narcotic drugs and sleeping pills. It has been regularly reported that nightshade plants contain high amounts of alkaloids. These alkaloids cause the bones to lose calcium and other minerals and trace elements are kept out of the body.

1. [!Pullquote] More and more doctors and nutritionists recommend that people who suffer from various symptoms of arthritis should completely remove nightshade plants from their diet. [!/ Pullquote]

2. [!Pullquote] More and more doctors and nutritionists recommend that people who suffer from various symptoms of arthritis get nightshade plants completely out of their diet. [!/ Pullquote]

1. As mentioned before, nightshade plants have been used for many hundreds of years. The deadly nightshade or belladonna is an extremely poisonous plant. It is still used medically, as are other ingredients from nightshade plants such as scopolamine and hyoscyamine. Belladonna's atropine was isolated in 1830.

1. Poisonous alkaloids are found in all plants of the nightshade family. Two alkaloid groups are solanine and tropanes. These compounds are found in different amounts in nightshade plants and in different amounts in different parts of the plants. The alkaloids used in drugs are mainly tropans.

1. Tobacco is a nightshade plant that produces alkaloid nicotine. The coca plant produces alkaloid cocaine. Both have medicinal uses, but are also used as popular drugs.

1. A characteristic of alkaloids that lets you know they are present in a food is a bitter taste. However, it is possible to greatly reduce the alkaloids you consume when eating nightshades. It is important to remove the leaves and stems from these plants. If a potato under the skin is green then this part must be removed or the potato must be thrown away. The color itself is not harmful, but it can indicate that an increased amount of solanine is present. If an edible nightshade plant tastes bitter, it indicates that it contains more alkaloids than usual.

2. A characteristic of alkaloids that lets you know they are present in a food is a bitter taste. However, it is possible to greatly reduce the alkaloids you consume when eating nightshades. It is important to remove the leaves and stems from these plants. If a potato under the skin is green then this part must be removed or the potato must be thrown away. The color itself is not harmful, but it can indicate that an increased amount of solanine is present. If an edible nightshade plant has a bitter taste, it indicates that it contains more alkaloids than usual.

1. There are two different nightshade plants that receive a lot of attention, which we also regularly receive. We are talking about the tomato and the potato.

The history of tomatoes

1. Spanish conquerors to invade South America were the first Western people to discover tomatoes. When tomatoes were introduced to Europe, many people thought it would be deadly poison. A 16th century herbalist wrote: “In Spain and warm regions, the 'Apples of Love' were prepared and cooked with pepper, salt and oil, but these provide little nutrition and pollute our bodies…

2. Spanish conquerors to invade South America were the first Western people to discover tomatoes. When tomatoes were introduced to Europe, many people believed it to be deadly poison. A 16th century herbalist wrote: “In Spain and warm regions, the 'Apples of Love' were prepared and cooked with pepper, salt and oil, but these provide little nutrition and pollute our bodies…

1. Not so long ago, tomatoes were mainly grown as an ornamental plant. Both the leaf and stem of a tomato are poisonous to animals. For people with weak kidneys and food allergies, tomatoes cause bone and joint pain, lack of energy, and rheumatoid arthritis. Yet tomatoes became hugely popular all over Southern Europe, especially in Spain and Italy, but now also in North America.

The history of potatoes

1. When potatoes were first imported from Peru to Europe, most people assumed that this nightshade plant was poisonous. And yet this popular tuber has become a standard in Europe and the United States. It's hard to imagine a traditional Dutch meal without potatoes. Whether they are baked, boiled or otherwise prepared, many Dutch people still eat a lot of potatoes every week.

1. However, potatoes contain solanine, which has been shown to have a highly toxic effect on people who are sensitive to it. It can contribute to problems with arthritis, calcium depletion and joint stiffness, as well as painful wrists, ankles and knees.

1. In his book John Kingsbury wrote that when solanine was consumed in large quantities by both humans and livestock, it often proved fatal. When our supply of calcium in the body is depleted by potatoes, it can cause nervousness and insomnia. This is because calcium naturally has a relaxing effect. Potato solanine builds up in the body and it can take years for its harmful effects to become apparent to people sensitive to it.

1. This is one of the most frequently asked questions we get emailed from readers. This question is therefore not surprising, especially when we consider how often we eat these nightshade plants. According to macrobiotic theory, tomatoes and potatoes are a natural balance to the meat, dairy, fats, and excess salt that has become standard in the Dutch diet.

1. The chemical and energetic properties of potatoes and tomatoes produce extreme, expansive effects and can weaken bones, joints, teeth, gums, and all body organs, especially in people who are sensitive and / or allergic. be first. In a study published in the Journal of the International Academy of Preventive Medicine, 5,000 people suffering from arthritis decided to stop eating nightshade plants. About seventy percent of the participants reported having fewer aches, pains, and other troublesome problems.

1. Dutch people of all ages love these two foods. French fries, potatoes, and ketchup remain popular food products. There is a reason people crave these products. Potatoes and tomatoes are very high in potassium and that helps our body with the high sodium content of animal foods. Nightshades can aid in the digestion of fatty, dense proteins.

1. Just look at some of our favorite meals: Meat and potatoes and pizza with cheese and tomatoes. These foods seem to go together naturally. We crave these food combinations because our bodies unconsciously try to keep it in balance.

1. This is quite easy, if you are in pain try not to eat nightshades. Read all labels carefully. Write down what and how much you eat each day and note if this makes any difference to the average bone and joint pain you feel each day. Learn to eat healthier by choosing a balanced macrobiotic diet with lots of minerals. However, keep in mind that avoiding nightshades will not produce results within 24 hours.

1. For many people, the body must first remove all traces of nightshade before it makes a difference. This can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks. If people expect the same result, it could be that they eat nightshade plants again after two or three weeks, and therefore see no improvement.

The conclusion about nightshade

1. Most people can continue to eat the edible nightshade plants without experiencing any harmful effects. For many people, these nightshade plants provide part of a good diet. However, as with all chemicals in the world you may be sensitive to some or most of the nightshade alkaloids. To make the whole story a bit more difficult, there is quite a variety of these plants.

1. For example, tobacco contains a lot of nicotine, but other nightshade plants - potatoes, tomatoes, and aubergines - contain only small amounts of nicotine. So it could be that you are sensitive to the alkaloids in nightshade plants, but also that you are more sensitive to certain alkaloids.

1. The most common foods in the nightshade family are white potatoes (regardless of skin color) tomatoes, eggplants, peppers (any color), cayenne, chili and hot peppers. Eggplant leaves are highly poisonous and should never be eaten. Chili and paprika are also nightshade plants. Black and white pepper are not nightshade plants, and neither are sweet potatoes.

1. It is of course possible to get help from a dietician if you find yourself having problems with foods in the nightshade family. These could help you come up with nutritious and tasty substitutes for those food items you can't eat.

Sources

1. Journal of Neurological and Orthopedic Medical Surgery (1993) 12: 227-231Â