Are Tomatoes Bad for You? 4 Reasons to Eliminate Nightshades

Are Tomatoes Bad for You? 4 Reasons to Eliminate Nightshades

Can’t have a salad without diced tomatoes, right? Actually, you might be better of skipping tomatoes and nightshades altogether.

In this post, we discuss the good and bad of nightshade plants and certain health conditions that can be exacerbated by a bit of ketchup. Let's dive right in!

Tomatoes have become an essential ingredient in many modern dishes.

Have you ever tried pizza without tomato sauce???

But too much of a good thing can lead to adverse effects (no kidding – you can even die from drinking too much water...it's all about quantity.)

And in case of nightshades, it’s actually not at all difficult to consume more than our bodies are capable of digesting.

The Dark Side of Tomatoes

tomatoes

The thing is:

Solanum Lycopersicum (the nerdy term for tomatoes) belongs to a family of flowering plants known as nightshades.

Nightshades are a genus of plant consisting of over roughly 2,300 species including bell peppers, potatoes, and eggplants.

Generally, people take nightshades to mean a poisonous plant which, although partly true, is unfair to the genus as a whole.

The red bulbous fruit we now call "tomato" originated from countries in Central and South America where they became a staple part of their ancient diets. It wasn’t long before tomatoes were taken and cultivated everywhere.

But the real question that foodies want answers to is:

Are tomatoes bad for you?

Nightshades: the Good

First off:

Tomatoes and other nightshade veggies are one of the most nutrient-packed foods available in your average grocery store.

eggplants

There are various species of tomatoes, each with their own set of health-benefiting properties. For instance, cherry tomatoes contain high levels of beta-carotene, an important antioxidant that serves as a precursor to vitamin A.

Overall, the benefits you get from eating tomatoes are may be similar to those of other fruits and vegetables, including but not limited to a reduced risk of obesity, better eyesight, healthier skin, and possibly a lower risk of various types of cancer.

Nightshades: the Bad (and A Little Bit of the Ugly)

Why then are tomatoes bad for you?

Here’s the thing: Despite being chock-full of nutrients, claims have been made that nightshades – including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants – should actually be avoided.

According to these claims, the main culprit behind the adverse effects of nightshades are glycoalkaloids. This natural substance found in plants like tomatoes, eggplants and peppers is what gives them their signature bitter taste – a byproduct of evolution to keep pest insects at bay.

chili peppers

4 Reasons to Eliminate Nightshades from Your Diet

So what sort of ill effects can consuming glycoalkaloid-rich nightshades have on your body?

Below are the 4 reasons why eating nightshades may not be worth the delicious albeit bitter taste. Depending on what sort of preexisting conditions you’re living with, you may want to partially or fully eliminate nightshades from your diet.

1. May trigger gastrointestinal discomfort

Research shows that glycoalkaloids have the potential to burst red blood cells wide open by penetrating through their membranes. This may result in aggravated Irritable Bowel Disorder (IBD) in people with a predisposition to developing this gastrointestinal condition. Many types of nightshades – tomatoes included – are considered pro-inflammatory. That uncomfortable feeling you get after eating spicy salsa may be triggered by the glycoalkaloids in the peppers and tomato.

2. Have the potential to create neurological damage

Hundreds of years ago, eggplants were referred to as map apples. It was believed that eating eggplants would cause a person to lose grips with reality. We now know better, but the fact of the matter is that nightshades are darker than their peels. Light symptoms of glycoalkaloid poisoning include nausea and headaches, but go beyond the tolerable threshold and you might be putting yourself at risk for mental confusion, incoherence, stupor, and restlessness.

3. Not ideal for autoimmune disease patients

Autoimmune diseases are pretty insidious. Tricking our own body’s immune system to attack healthy organs and systems? Come on!

If you have a history of autoimmune disease and are wondering whether you should refrain from eating tomatoes and other nightshade plants (since glycoalkaloid poisoning can cause bouts of inflammation)... Play it safe and talk to your doctor. Ask them whether these foods are right for you, and is it possible that nightshades may be triggering painful episodes.

4. May contribute to joint pain

Since nightshades have been known to cause inflammation in some cases, they are definitely something that those suffering from arthritis and joint pains should talk about to their doctor. Whether or not cutting potatoes, eggplants, and tomatoes from your diet is the right move is not for me, but for your doctor (and you) to decide!

I Love French Fries and Ketchup. Do I Have to Stay Away from All Nightshades?

Not gonna lie:

There are MANY reasons why everyone should stay away from greasy fries and processed ketchup.

However, simply because they are nightshades may not be one of those reasons.

tomato

In fact, with careful prep, you may be able to avoid the ill effects of glycoalkaloids.

The majority of glycoalkaloids are found on the plant’s leaves and skin, but trace amounts are also located in its delicious flesh. The least you can do is to wash and peel your potatoes, eggplants and tomatoes.

Ultimately, the best way to determine which of the nightshade fruits or vegetables you should avoid – if any – is by consulting with your doctor.

He or she might ask that you chart your eating habits to see which foods contribute to any of the effects nightshades are known to cause.  

See also:

Full Anti Inflammatory Diet Guide + Meal Plan (That You Can ACTUALLY Follow)

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14 Responses

Paoul

Paoul

August 16, 2022

It’s an absolute certainty — the majority of medical doctors have little to no practical training nor education in phytology (plant science). As such – they often recite the same rhetoric. Sometimes it pays off to conduct your own research.

Neil

Neil

August 16, 2022

Eastern medicine specialist is who you should see. Doctors will try and push pills while eastern medicine specialists will have a wealth of knowledge.

Cindi

Cindi

August 16, 2022

Most times my doctor is the last person I would ask about nutrition.

Barb

Barb

August 16, 2022

My family ate a lot of tomatoes and corn in the summer/both my mother and I had rheumatoid arthritis that started at 50. I got lymphoma from the meds

Luppy

Luppy

August 16, 2022

I think the best way to learn about any food and your reaction to it is to eat it, then eliminate it and see if you feel different. Much better than expensive allergy tests.

Rahmi

Rahmi

August 16, 2022

Mmmm. I’ve heard this before from a couple of doctors but common sense leans toward more due diligence. A few commenters point to the fact that most traditional doctors haven’t a clue when it comes to nutrition; I learned a while back from an anti-big Pharma doctor that nutrition is not even included in the med school curriculum. Not sure if that has changed, it’s been over 10 yrs ago; Honestly, I doubt it. Simple solution: If you like nightshades then moderation should provide a healthy balance.

Pamela Wilson, M.D.

Pamela Wilson, M.D.

August 16, 2022

It is unfortunate that our medical system/education is driven by big pharma and pushing pills rather than on much practical information.
You have to go to a FUNCTIONAL / INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE Doc.
We have taken the time to educate ourselves far beyond the 4 years of medical school and 4-6 years of our specialty.
And as much knowledge as we have packed onto those years, we must remember there is always more to learn.

Theodora Gouveia

Theodora Gouveia

September 30, 2020

It’s true that medical doctors are not usually knowledgeable about foods, but they can order allergy tests that can be very helpful.

Liliya Kirtland

Liliya Kirtland

September 15, 2020

I’m ashamed for stupid doctor…

Sheila

Sheila

September 01, 2020

I couldn’t agree more with Hern Carolino’s comment about asking a dr about food! They don’t have a clue from my experience as well.

Brandon Bishop

Brandon Bishop

September 01, 2020

Great information to know. Thanks!

Hern Carolino

Hern Carolino

August 24, 2020

Most Doctors have next to no knowledge of nutrition, thus, asking a doctor about good or bad foods is like asking a lawyer how to fix your car.

Mary

Mary

August 07, 2020

Yes. When my mom had cancer, she was told to stay away from tomatoes

Sharron Palmer

Sharron Palmer

May 28, 2020

Great article. Had heard cancer patients should stay away from night shades. Any truth to that?

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