The Solanaceae, or nightshades include a number of commonly collected or cultivated species. Certain species are widely known for their medicinal uses, their psychotropic effects, or for being poisonous. The primary toxin found in nightshades are glycoalkaloids.
Glycoalkaloids are natural pesticides produced by nightshade plants. Glycoalkaloids are bitter compounds which are found throughout the plant, but their concentrations are especially high in leaves, flowers, and unripe fruits. They are there to defend plants against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and insects.
Glycoalkaloids bind strongly to the cholesterol in the cell membranes of predators, and in so doing, they disrupt the structure of those membranes, causing cells to leak or burst open upon contact.
Glycoalkaloids also act as neurotoxins. They block the enzyme cholinesterase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down acetylcholine, a vital neurotransmitter that carries signals between nerve cells and muscle cells. When this important enzyme is blocked, acetylcholine can accumulate and electrically overstimulate the predator’s muscle cells. This can lead to paralysis, convulsions, respiratory arrest, and death. Military “nerve gases” work exactly the same way.
The are a number of conditions that should totally avoid nightshades or at least approach with caution:
1. Autoimmune Issues
2. Gastrointestinal Issues
3. Arthritis
Primary Nightshades
1. Potato (does not include sweet potatoes and yams)
2. Tomato
3. Tomatillos
4. Eggplant
5. Peppers (bell peppers, chili peppers, paprika, tamales, pimentos, cayenne, etc)
6. Tobacco
7. Goji Berries
Potato plants make two glycoalkaloids: alpha-chaconine and alpha-solanine. These are the most toxic glycoalkaloids found in the edible nightshade family.
Tomatoes produce two glycoalkaloids: alpha-tomatine and dehydrotomatine. The majority is in the form of alpha-tomatine. Tomato glycoalkaloids are about 20 times less toxic than potato glycoalkaloids.
Eggplants, glycoalkaloids are found primarily within the seeds and flesh; the peel contains negligible amounts. The common eggplant (solanum melongena) contains 10-20 mg of glycoalkaloid per kg (or 4.5 to 9 mg per pound of eggplant). Eggplant glycoalkaloids are considered relatively nontoxic compared to potato glycoalkaloids.
Red and green bell peppers contain less than 10 mg of glycoalkaloid per kg. This is a very small amount and is not considered toxic.
More Complete List of Nightshade Family
Acnistus
Anisodus
Anthocercis
Anthotroche
Archihyoscyamus
Archiphysalis
Athenaea
Atrichodendron
Atropa
Atropanthe
Aureliana
Benthamiella
Bouchetia
Brachistus
Browallia
Brugmansia
Brunfelsia
Calibrachoa
Capsicum
Cestrum
Chamaesaracha
Coeloneurum
Combera
Crenidium
Cuatresia
Cyphanthera
Cyphomandra
Datura
Deprea
Discopodium
Duboisia
Duckeodendron
Dunalia
Eriolarynx
Espadaea
Exodeconus
Fabiana
Goetzea
Grabowskia
Grammosolen
Habrothamnus
Hawkesiophyton
Herschelia
Hunzikeria
Hyoscyamus
Iochroma
Jaborosa
Jaltomata
Juanulloa
Larnax
Latua
Lehmannia
Leptoglossis
Leucophysalis
Lycianthes
Lycium
Lycopersicon
Lycopersicum
Mandragora
Markea
Melananthus
Merinthopodium
Meyenia
Nectouxia
Nicandra
Nicotiana
Nierembergia
Nolana
Normania
Nycterium
Pantacantha
Petunia
Phrodus
Physaliastrum
Physalis
Physochlaina
Pionandra
Plowmania
Protoschwenkia
Przewalskia
Quincula
Rahowardiana
Reyesia
Salpichroa
Salpichroma
Salpiglossis
Saracha
Schizanthus
Schultesianthus
Schwenckia
Schwenkia
Sclerophylax
Scopolia
Sessea
Solandra
Solanum
Streptosolen
Swartsia
Trianaea
Tubocapsicum
Tzeltalia
Vassobia
Vestia
Withania
Witheringia