Nightshade foods

      Have you heard about nightshade foods?

      Nightshade allergies and lecithin sensitivity are some major reasons for inflammation. 

    Nightshades are a family of flowering plants, classified as Solanaceae, comprising more than 2,700 species. This includes four that are of interest from a culinary standpoint: potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers. If you consume nightshade foods in moderation, the problem of toxicity does not arise; on the contrary, many foods in this family are very healthy. 

    Nightshade foods can be problematic due to the presence of 3 alkaloids:

 -Solanine, a toxic glycoalkaloid. In nature, the presence of this glycoalkaloid in nightshades serves as a defense mechanism for the plant.

 -Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, but it should also be noted that it is an alkaloid and can cause irritation.

 -Another alkaloid present in nightshades is nicotine, a substance from the tobacco plant, which is present in all parts of nightshade plants.

 

Nightshade allergy symptoms

    People who are allergic to the alkaloids in nightshades may experience one or more of the following symptoms after eating a vegetable from the nightshade family:

-hives and skin rashes

-itchiness

-nausea

-vomiting

-excessive mucus production

-achy muscles and joints

-inflammation

Nightshade intolerance symptoms

    Food intolerances tend to be less severe than food allergies and, in most cases, affect only the digestive system. People who have an intolerance to nightshades lack enzymes needed to properly digest these foods.

A nightshade intolerance can cause the following symptoms:

-bloating and gas

-heartburn

-nausea

-diarrhea