Tomatoes, aubergine, potatoes, and peppers are members of the plant family known as nightshades. Another member of the nightshade family is tobacco. Due to the minute amounts of alkaloids they contain, nightshades are special. Chemicals known as alkaloids are mostly found in plants. Alkaloids are substances that contain nitrogen and have an impact on the body, usually in a therapeutic sense. Notable examples of plant-based medications using alkaloids are morphine and quinine.
What Exactly Are Nightshades?
The Solanaceae plant family, which includes over 2,700 species of flowering plants, is known as the nightshade family. For those who enjoy nerding out on botanical nomenclature, peppers are categorised under the genus Capsicum, while potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant are categorised under the genus Solanum. For instance, Solanum tuberosum is the scientific name for potatoes, Solanum lycopersicum for tomatoes, and Solanum melongena for eggplant. Despite the fact that all four of these peppers belong to the Solanaceae family but are categorized under a separate genus, they go by the name Capsicum annuum.
Nightshade Fruits And Nightshade Vegetables
Because of their savoury flavour, tomatoes are frequently mistaken for being a type of vegetable, although they are truly a fruit. Fruit is a component of a plant that can be eaten that grows from a flower. It also contains seeds. Technically speaking, nightshade fruits also include peppers and eggplant. Any other edible component of a plant, such as the roots, stems, or leaves, is considered a vegetable. Not a fruit, potatoes are a nightshade vegetable.
Are Nightshades Good For Your Health?
While certain alkaloids are beneficial to human health, others may have the opposite impact. For instance, tobacco, a nightshade plant, has compounds that might lead to cancer. Solanine is the alkaloid present in nightshades. While the plant is still growing, it serves as a pesticide.
Overconsumption of solanine might leave you feeling unwell. The bitterness of potatoes increases as they get green because they contain more alkaloids. For this reason, it is typically advised to discard potatoes that are green or have sprouted. You can get nausea, diarrhoea, or stomach pain after eating green potatoes. In addition, a cold or headache is possible.
Health Benefits Of Nightshades
The health benefits of other components in nightshades are unknown. Antioxidants found in them shield cells from harm brought on by stress. For instance, the antioxidant anthocyanin, which gives aubergine its purple hue, helps lower the risk of contracting infections, diabetes, and cancer.
The health benefits of other components in nightshades are unknown. Antioxidants found in them shield cells from harm brought on by stress. For instance, the antioxidant anthocyanin, which gives aubergine its purple hue, helps lower the risk of contracting infections, diabetes, and cancer.