Dietary Guidelines for a low nightshade diet
"Nightshades" is the common name for a group of plants belonging to a scientific order called Polemoniales and to a scientifically family called Solanaceae.
Nightshade plants produce substances known as alkaloids to protect themselves from insects. Alkaloids can impact nerve-muscle function, trigger inflammatory reactions, digestive disorders and compromise joint and bone integrity.
The Most Common Foods in the Nightshade Category are:
- Belladonna
- Cayenne
- Chilli
- Eggplant
- Goji Berry
- Mandrake
- Paprika
- Peppers
- Pimentos
- Potatoes
- Tobacco
- Tabasco sauce
- Tamarillo
- Wolfberry
Tips for reducing nightshade alkaloid exposure:
- Cooking reduces alkaloid content of nightshade foods by about 30 to 50%.
- Thickly peel nightshade food as most alkaloids are at the skin.
- Eat fresh and avoid old nightshade foods.
- Discard any green or sprouted potatoes.
- Or remove any green or sprouted areas of potatoes before cooking.
- The green and sprouting spots indicate high alkaloid levels.
- Store a potato somewhere that is cool, dry and dark.
- Keep potatoes away from light. The exposure to light will increase alkaloid formation.
