Why is it called nightshade family?

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.

What makes a nightshade a nightshade?

Nightshades are unique because they contain small amounts of alkaloids. Alkaloids are chemicals that are mainly found in plants. For something to be considered an alkaloid, it must contain nitrogen and affect the human body, usually from a medicinal perspective.

What is the meaning of nightshade family?

Definition of nightshade

1 : any of a genus (Solanum of the family Solanaceae, the nightshade family) of herbs, shrubs, and trees having alternate leaves, cymose flowers, and fruits that are berries and including some poisonous weeds, various ornamentals, and important crop plants (such as the potato and eggplant)

Why should you not eat nightshade vegetables?

Nightshades contain an alkaloid called solanine, which is toxic in high concentrations. Solanine is found in trace amounts in potatoes and is normally safe, though the leafy stalks of the potato plant and green potatoes are toxic, and solanine poisoning has been reported from eating green potatoes.

Why is potato a nightshade?

Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplant (as well as tobacco) all belong to the same botanical family, commonly known as the nightshades. The Latin name for this family of plants is Solanaceae, because all of them produce an alkaloid compound called solanine.

What Are Nightshades (and why you should avoid them)

Is Avocado a nightshade vegetable?

In the end, if you feel you might have some sort of autoimmune disease or that you're suffering from a leaky gut, you should try cutting out the foods on the nightshade vegetables list. There are several great replacements for these foods, like avocado, Brussels sprouts, and Jerusalem artichokes.

Is Onion a nightshade vegetable?

Common Vegetables Mistaken for Nightshades

Peppercorns like white and black pepper are not nightshades. Sweet potatoes are actually yams and not a nightshade or a potato! Mushrooms are fungi and not nightshades. Onions are not nightshades either.

Are blueberries nightshades?

Blueberries. Blueberries contain solanine alkaloid like nightshade plants, though they aren't technically a nightshade plant. Blueberries are often touted as a superfood because many believe they contain cancer-preventing ingredients. They're high in antioxidants, which are known to reduce inflammation.

Is a sweet potato a nightshade?

Sweet potatoes are among the foods that are commonly mistaken as nightshade vegetables, but they're not nightshades.

Is garlic a nightshade?

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.

What does the name nightshade mean?

nightshade (n.)

"plant of the genus solanum," with white flowers and black poisonous berries, Middle English night-shade, from Old English nihtscada, literally "shade of night," perhaps in allusion to the berries; see night + shade (n.). A common Germanic compound, cognates: Dutch nachtschade, German Nachtschatten.

Is Lavender a nightshade?

Common nightshade flowers are white, while that of the climbing nightshade plant is a lavender or bluish hue. Both flowers feature a drooping star shape, with the petals peeling backwards away from the face of the flower, which contains a yellow cone of anthers.

Is chocolate a nightshade?

Alkaloids in Nightshade Foods. Alkaloids are a chemically related group of substances found in a variety of foods, including cocoa, coffee, tea, black pepper, and honey (depending on the types of flowers found in the bees' foraging zone).

Is turmeric a nightshade plant?

For Chili and Cayenne Pepper — Black and white pepper, confusingly enough, come from a different plant and aren't nightshades. Use these, along with turmeric, cumin, cloves, and ginger, to add a kick to dishes that you want to keep nightshade-free.

Are strawberries nightshades?

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. The strawberry, however has its dry, yellow “seeds” on the outside (each of which is actually considered a separate fruit).

Is celery a nightshade?

This list of nightshade vegetable substitutions should help you adjust to your new diet: Sweet potatoes and yam. Cauliflower. Celery.

Are bell peppers inflammatory?

Why they're good for you: Bell peppers—especially the bright-red ones—are high in antioxidants and low in starch. Similar to spicy peppers, sweet bell peppers contain the chemical compound capsaicin, which is known to help reduce inflammation and potentially even pain.

Do any vegetables cause inflammation?

Nightshade Vegetables

Eggplants, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes are all members of the nightshade family. These vegetables contain the chemical solanine, which some people claim aggravates arthritis pain and inflammation.

Is mango in the nightshade family?

Mangos are in the cashew family Anacardiaceae. It might surprise you to know that poison ivy is also in that family. That is why some people have skin sensitivity when peeling a mango.

Is a jalapeno a nightshade?

Nightshades – Avoid in order to decrease inflammation:

Peppers (red, green, yellow, orange, jalapeno, chili, cayenne, pimento) Tomatoes, all varieties (including Tomatillos)

Is pumpkin a nightshade?

No. The nightshades are the Solanaceae family, which includes tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. Pumpkins are in the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes the squashes, cucumbers, melons, and gourds.

Can nightshades cause leaky gut?

Nightshades also contain a type of protein called lectins. Lectins may damage the intestinal barrier, causing a condition known as 'leaky gut syndrome.

Are chickpeas a nightshade?

nightshade vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, goji berries, peppers, and eggplant. all legumes, such as lentils, beans, peanuts, and chickpeas.

What herbs are nightshades?

Many herbs and spices are derived from nightshades, including cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, chili powder and paprika.