Do you have joint problems like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout?  You may want to avoid nightshade foods.  What are nightshade foods?  Potatoes (not sweet potatoes), tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, tamarios, pepinos, pimentos, paprika, cayenne, and Tabasco sauce.

 

A specific group of substances in these foods, called alkaloids, can affect nerve-muscle function, digestive function and joint function in animals and humans.  Some researchers also speculate that nightshade alkaloids can contribute to excessive loss of calcium from bone and excessive depositing of calcium in soft tissue.

If you have any of these joint issues, try a temporary (2-3 week) elimination of nightshade foods to help determine if they are contributing to your joint problems.  This same recommendation would apply to individuals with nervous system problems, particularly nerve-muscle related problems.

 

Do you love some of the foods listed above? Don't worry, cooking helps to lower the alkaloid content by about 40-50%. However, highly sensitive individuals may want to avoid this category of food altogether.  Non-sensitive individuals may be able to eat these foods in cooked form without problem.  In regards to potatoes, the green spots, or sprouting, usually means there is an increased alkaloid content, and therefore should be avoided.