Nutrition Diva What are nightshades and are they inflammatory?
Sep 3, 2025
Explore the truth behind nightshade vegetables and their supposed inflammatory effects. The discussion clears up myths and highlights the rare instances of true sensitivities. You'll learn about the nutritional benefits these foods offer and why most of us can happily include them in our diets. The conversation aims to empower you to make informed choices based on science rather than anecdotes.
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What Counts As Nightshades
- Nightshades include tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant from the Solanaceae family.
- The family also contains non-food plants like tobacco and deadly nightshade with varied compounds.
Origin Of The Nightshade Myth
- The fear of nightshades causing inflammation traces back to horticulturalist Norman Childers in the 1980s.
- He reported symptom improvement after eliminating them and collected many anecdotal reports without controlled studies.
Solanine Is Mostly In Leaves And Stems
- Nightshades contain solanine, an alkaloid that deters pests and concentrates in leaves and stems.
- Edible parts have far lower solanine, so food forms are unlikely to cause toxicity in most people.