Have you heard of nightshades? They are part of the plant family Solanaceae of over 2,000 species which include a variety of toxic herbs, flowers like morning glories and nightshades which include some common vegetables you’d find at the grocery store. For most people, nightshade vegetables are safe to eat, but those with autoimmune diseases, food sensitivities, food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, or leaky gut syndrome they can create problems.
The reason why, is because these nightshades can create an immune response much like wheat or dairy does for some people. The way your body reacts to a certain nightshade is unique but there are common warning signs such as joint pain, digestive issues, reddening of your skin, and other inflammatory responses.
The most common nightshades that people with autoimmune diseases or gut-related issues have problems with are tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant and peppers. We work with several families who need nightshades removed from their diets and their health is dramatically better for doing so.
Here is a more comprehensive list of nightshades that can cause issues:
- Tomatoes
- White potatoes
- Eggplant
- Okra
- Peppers
- Goji berries
- Tomatillos
- Sorrel
- Gooseberries
- Ground cherries
- Pepino melons
- Tobacco
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Capsicum
Do keep in mind, nightshades can actually be quite healthy and provide a lot of nutrition for most people, so don’t think these are bad to eat, only some people are sensitive or allergic to them.
However, if you think the foods you are eating might be causing inflammation or worsening your arthritis or creating other health issues, it’s best to take a food allergy test provided by your doctor or even an ALCAT food intolerance test that we can provide through a lab.
We are the only personal chef company in Fort Worth who offers this service and it helps a lot of our families gain valuable insights into what foods are problematic for you specifically.
You will be amazed at how much better you feel when you’re eating the RIGHT kinds of food for YOUR body!