I thought I would post this as I was researching nightshades and the
information on this page was very informative. I didn't know that green
peppers should not be eaten. Anyway, hope some benefit from this info
Naturally Occurring Toxins in Foods
Natural toxins are normal. However, we can consume the fruit or
vegetable safely when proper precautions are taken.
There are superstitious beliefs about the nightshade family (Potatoes,
Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplant) and how they may harm the immune
system or be unfit to eat. Actually, many of the vegetables in the
nightshade family are staples in one's diet, particularly in the Middle East
where Eggplant, Peppers and Tomatoes are eaten in abundance. These
vegetables are also known for their great medicinal qualities. People
following the macrobiotic diet don’t eat fruits, they are actually all fruits,
in the nightshade family.
The nightshade family of foods do indeed have a potential toxin. This is
mother nature’s way of protecting themselves from insect damage. The
toxin is found in the green part of these vegetables. Proper choosing and
storage can cut down these risks.
Potatoes should always be stored in a dark cool place and kept away from
light. To be safe, any green part on the potato, including any growths,
should be cut away before using. Don’t ever eat green potatoes , they
contain the toxin solanine. Potatoes may turn green when exposed to
light and you’ll see a green skin. Never eat the leaves or stems from a
potato either.
Green Tomatoes have this toxin, glycoalkaloids. These toxins cause them
to have a bitter taste to be unappealing for consumption. Although a
delicious southern food (fried green Tomatoes), we should not consume
green Tomatoes. And never eat the leaves or stems of Tomatoes.
Eggplant and Peppers should be ripe to avoid the toxin. That means no
green Peppers and no green Eggplant. Green Peppers, though common,
are actually just immature. When allowed to ripen they will turn a
glorious red or yellow or orange or even purple. Green Peppers have a
distinctive and strong flavor, not at all like the mature fruit which is
sweet. There is, however, a variety of green pepper that is ripe when
green. This is not the variety commonly found. The ones you find in
most restaurants and grocery stores are red bells that are harvested at
the unripe green stage.
Again, avoid the leaves and stems.
This toxin can cause nausea, vomiting, and headaches, but you have to
eat a whole lot of it for this to occur. In super great quantities, they can
cause convulsions and unconsciousness so it can be serious.
People with arthritis sometimes avoid these foods because they may aid
in inflammatory conditions, but the reports are conflicting on this advice.
Sweet Potatoes aren’t in nightshade family, they are part of the morning
glory family.
Personally, after researching this, I find nothing that leads me to believe
the nightshade family is unsafe in average quantities and there is plenty
of research on the great antioxidant value and nutritional value of this
group, not to mention tasty and versatile!
Fun Fact:
Nightshade vegetables are actually all fruit! We eat them as vegetables
(like in salads, side dishes, and not generally snacking out of hand or in
desserts) so we consider them vegetables but they are indeed all fruit!
What makes a fruit? It's all in the seeds and germination - fruits have
seeds that develop from the "ovaries" of flowers. You'll also note that
fruit get picked or snipped and leave the plant alive while vegetables,
well, we're eating the entire plant there so there's nothing left. Other
popular vegetables that are really fruit include okra, cucumber, summer
squash and hard squash. Fruitarians do eat these "vegetables" as well as
nightshade "vegetables" because of that.
Cherries, Apples, Peaches and Pears all contain toxic seeds, leaves and
bark but the fruit is perfectly fine and quite delicious!
The green leaves of the Rhubarb are very poisonous, but the red fruit
itself is fine.
In addition, Corn can harbor a mold that is toxic. That toxin is a
carcinogen. Because of this, Delicious Organics will not offer any
products with corn syrup. Corn is also now the single most genetically
modified organism modified organism, next to soybeans. Corn is also a
grain and can raise insulin levels. Personally, we avoid corn in products,
we read labels and don't eat processed foods with corn (except the
occasional non-GMO corn chip) though we do indulge in organic fresh
corn when it’s in season a couple times a year.
Broccoli, Lentils, and Grapefruit contain naturally occurring pesticides that
can cause mutations if eaten in large enough quantities.
Peanuts and peanut butter often have traces of aflatoxin, a substance
found in a mold that grows on the nuts. This toxin is known to cause
cancer in high enough amounts. Delicious Organics only offers products
with peanuts that are grown in arid climates like Arizona because that
toxin is not found to grow there.
Celery harbors toxins that at high enough levels damage the human
immune system and causes photosensitivity. (Highest levels occur in
celery that has brownish patches.) Celery also contains naturally
occurring nitrates. Spinach, Eggplant, Beets, Lettuce, Turnip Greens,
Green Beans, Radishes, and Collards absorb nitrates from the ground
fertilizers. The nitrogen in the ground oxidizes into nitrates. These
nitrates cause the bitter flavor we associate with some greens like
Collards. Organic vegetables have far less, minimal levels of nitrates
because of the natural compost used to fertilize the soil as compared
with the conventional cousins. While these naturally occurring nitrates
are fine in these quantities for adults (although they may trigger
migraines in some people), babies should not be given these foods until
their detoxification system is more mature, at least 9 months of age.
Spinach, Chard, Beets and Beet Greens, Mustard Greens, Sweet Potatoes ,
Peanuts, Almonds, Cashews, (most nuts), Beans, Soybeans, Rhubarb,
Plantains, Ginger, Pumpkin, Cabbage, Green Beans, Mango, Eggplant,
Tomatoes and Tomatillos, Lentils, Parsnips, Bell Peppers, Black Pepper,
Parsley, Rhubarb, Summer Squash, Star Fruit, Berries (especially
Strawberries and Cranberries), Oats, Coffee, Tea, Chocolate and Cocoa,
and contain oxalic acid which while limiting the absorption of calcium
also cleans the intestinal tract. Eat these things 2-3 hours before eating
dairy or taking calcium supplements to maximize calcium absorption.
Debate exists whether it is more beneficial to cook these things, like
spinach and chard, or eat it raw (juice it). Cooking turns the oxalic acid
into crystals that are sharp and in large quantities can damage the
stomach, kidneys and limit the absorption of iron, but cooking also
breaks down cell walls and allow us to absorb more nutrients. The
answer? Moderation and variety. Very large amounts could cause
calcium and other nutritional deficiencies. People with kidney or
gallbladder problems may want to avoid these foods.
Raw beans, legumes, and peas, including soybeans, lentils, black-eyed
peas, peanuts and mung beans contain trypsin inhibitors that block
important digestive enzymes and should therefore be used sparingly.
Alfalfa Sprouts can harbor e-coli bacteria and listeria. This can be
uncomfortable for an adult who will get sick, but can be deadly to an
unborn baby so pregnant women should avoid these sprouts. Alfalfa
sprouts also contain the amino acid canavanine which is an anti-nutrient
that can inhibit the natural immune system. Therefore, we would all do
well to avoid alfalfa sprouts. Mature alfalfa does not contain this amino
acid.
White Button Mushrooms also contain a toxin that in sufficient quantities
is carcinogenic.
this information was collected from a variety of sources cited
throughout the site including:
Why Go Organic?
Nitrates
Healthy Eating 101
Recipes to individual items as linked above
Worlds Healthiest Foods on Oxalates
Thank you for posting all that! I get overwhelmed trying to keep up with all the current research on which foods are ok, what products are ok, etc. You guys seem to be doing a whole lot better than I am with this. I get too overwhelmed trying to figure it all out. It's easier to just stop eating.
Hmmm, what's left to eat? Chocolate!hi lorster