The Latin name for this family of plants is Solanaceae, but they are more commonly known as the “nightshades.” People with arthritis are often advised to avoid nightshade plants because they supposedly aggravate joint pain. But what if I told you they all contained a dangerous neuro-toxin called alpha-solanine. Do they Cause Autoimmune Diseases? Before you cut these healthy foods out of your diet, here is some information about nightshades and how they can affect your gut. 2008-06-13 12:52:21 2008-06-13 12:52:21. All … Nightshades belong to a scientific family of plants called Solanaceae, which includes thousands of species of fruits, vegetables, herbs, shrubs, and weeds. Nightshades like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants have a bad reputation. These are all compounds that have a high potency in nightshade vegetables. These are proteins, found in meat too, or enzymes that are found in many different kinds of foods. Lesser known are the commonly eaten vegetables in the same nightshade family. For some people, nightshades have been known to cause digestive issues and even aches and pains. Nightshades can be problematic for people with autoimmune diseases due to their lectin, saponin, and capsaicin content. Also, among the 2000 varieties of nightshades, some non-poisonous veggies and fruits get mistaken with poisonous ones and were given the name. Why are Nightshades Bad? The majority of these claims seem to center around a … Nightshades are a family of vegetables referred to scientifically as Solanaceae. And the so-called “nightshade vegetables” have numerous other reasons why they’re benefical for heath, from vitamins and minerals through to fibre and polyphenols. It probably has to do with deadly dangerous toxin it possesses known to kill humans, animals, and pests. Nightshades include a diverse group of plants (more than 2,000 species!) Now time for some truths, are nightshade vegetables good for you or are they bad? The Latin name for this family of plants is Solanaceae, because all of them produce an alkaloid compound called solanine. Nightshades are unique in that they all grow five petal flowers and alternate leaves that grow in a staggered fashion on the stems. Many of the health concerns about nightshades are due to the presence of the organic compounds alkaloids. Nightshade veggies are not bad for you necessarily, but they do contain compounds called lectins. Asked by Wiki User. Some of these so called “healthy foods” may actually be damaging your health. But still, many people do not know what constitutes nightshade vegetables and why they might be associated with various health issues. Tomato is known as a cancer fighter, bell peppers are commended for their nutrient density, and eggplant is a common low carb swap. Nightshade foods belong to a family of plants called solenoids that produce glycoalkaloids, chemical compounds that defend the plants against molds, pests, and herbivores. All of the vegetables mentioned are part of the Solanaceae family, aka Nightshades. WHY SHOULD I AVOID NIGHTSHADE VEGETABLES? Why they are called “nightshade”, we are not really sure why. Vegetables only make up a small portion of the entire nightshade family, but they do contain several of the foods commonly found in our diets. The reason why nightshades are problematic for many people is due to the glycoalkaloid content (see this post). These are thought to help protect the plants from hungry insects, but sometimes, findings show that they … Read on for a comprehensive list of nightshades, and to find out why you might want to avoid nightshades to protect or revitalize your health. Lastly, for those who suffer from an autoimmune disease , it’s worth looking into whether or not nightshade vegetables may cause or “trigger” inflammation in the body and, thus, contribute to … For example, many believe that a nightshade herb called belladonna was the poison that Juliet used to fake her death in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplant (as well as tobacco) all belong to the same botanical family, commonly known as the nightshades. Why are they called nightshade vegetables? Answer. And the so-called "nightshade vegetables" have numerous other reasons why they're benefical for heath, from vitamins and minerals through to fibre and polyphenols. As is the case with all elements of the human diet, however, some people find that they feel healthier when they do not eat these vegetables. Top Answer. Nightshades also contain naturally occurring pesticides called alkaloids. It even includes some poisonous plants like the belladonna, which is also called “deadly nightshade.” It was used as a poison by the ancient Romans and, before that, crafted into poison-tipped arrows. Nightshade vegetables seem like healthy, nutrient-dense additions to any diet. A number of vegetables from this family come from the genus of Solanum and Capsicum. Far from being bad for you, nightshade vegetables confer a number of health benefits because they are often rich in vitamins, minerals, and other useful compounds. Nightshades—all belonging to a scientific family of plants called Solanaceae—include several thousand species of flowering plants, and most of these plants are not edible as food.At the very same time, however, there are a good number of nightshades that have been enjoyed as staple foods in diets for literally thousands of years. We found conflicting evidence on nightshade vegetables seem like healthy, nutrient-dense additions to any diet family of vegetables this. 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