What makes a nightshade a nightshade

But, actually, nightshades are a category of vegetables and fruits belonging to the Solanaceae family. What all nightshade foods have in common are alkaloids , nitrogen-containing substances that are found in the leaves, stems and edible parts of the plants. Sweet potatoes are among the foods that are commonly mistaken as nightshade vegetables, but they're not nightshades. While nightshades offer a lot of beneficial nutrients, including antioxidants , some health professionals believe they contribute to inflammation in the body, and therefore, advise limiting or avoiding nightshades in the diet to reduce inflammation.

However, more research is needed before any firm conclusions about such claims can be drawn. Like lectins found in beans and grains, alkaloids are toxic in high amounts.

But simply cooking these foods can significantly reduce the concentration and reduce any real cause for concern. If you know someone who is avoiding eggplant parm or french fries, they may be trying to reduce their intake of glykoalkaloids, the specific type of alkaloid found in nightshades — or to relieve symptoms of digestive distress.

One of the most common reasons people avoid nightshades is because they believe the foods will increase inflammation. While there are no definitive studies out there to prove it yet, some people report feeling less joint pain when they stop eating them.

In animal studies like this small study , or this one , potatoes were linked to digestive issues, even more so when the potatoes were fried. This was especially in the animals already predisposed to inflammation of the GI tract, as some people with conditions like Irritable Bowel Disease, or IBD, have.

Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and 11 and datura are perennial in zones 9 and You can grow all three as annuals in cooler zones, and they bloom from spring until frost. Jackie Carroll has been a freelance writer since Home Guides Garden Pest Control. By Jackie Carroll. Related Articles. What Does Preen Kill? Alkaloids Members of the nightshade family produce several different toxins, called alkaloids, that are dangerous to humans, pets and livestock. Vegetables Vegetable nightshades include white and red potatoes, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers and eggplants.

Weeds Black nightshade Solanum nigrum , hairy nightshade S. Ornamental Nightshades The nightshade family includes hundreds of species of showy, fragrant flowers. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.

Nightshades are a botanical family of foods and spices that contain chemical compounds called alkaloids, explains registered dietitian Ryanne Lachman. Common edible nightshades include:. These vegetables some of which are actually fruits are highly nutritious diet staples in many cultures. A single bell pepper, for example, contains well over the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, and tomatoes are a major source of the antioxidant lycopene, which some studies have associated with decreased risk of certain types of cancer.

Remember how nightshades contain small amounts of alkaloids?