referred to as antinutrients
since they can reduce the body’s
ability to absorb nutrients.
Nightshades contain
large amounts of lectins that
could elicit the same response
as alkaloids in sensitive
individuals. There isn’t yet
sufficient evidence to suggest
that lectin alone is the culprit
in nightshades, but there have
been a few studies carried out
indicating that following a
lectin-free diet can be beneficial
for those suffering from
autoimmune diseases.People who are intolerant of or
possibly allergic to the alkaloids
or lectins present in nightshades
may experience one or more of
the following symptoms from
nightshades:- Skin rashes and hives
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Itching
- Excessive mucus production
- Achy muscles and joints
- High serum level of
C-reactive protein (a marker
for generalised inflammation) - Ongoing, unexplained fatigue
- Bloating and gas
- Heartburn
- Migraines
If you’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune
disease or suspect you may have one
(especially rheumatoid arthritis or anything
else that causes joint pain and inflammation),
a 30-day nightshade elimination is definitely
something you should consider.
If you’re only slightly sensitive or mildly
intolerant, reducing the nightshade content
of your diet rather than eliminating them
completely might be enough to see results. ■VOLUME 31 LOSE IT! 15- Avoid green and unripe
tomatoes as they have a
higher alkaloid content. - Peel your veggies.
The skins of nightshade
vegetables normally contain
the highest alkaloid content,
except for eggplant. - Eliminate certain foods.
Red and green bell peppers
contain less than 10mg of
glycoalkaloid per kg – a very
small amount. If you have
a bad reaction to peppers,
you’re likely to be highly
intolerant and possibly
allergic to nightshades. In
such cases, eliminating
these foods is a necessity.
A few tips...
If you suspect you may be
intolerant to nightshades:It’s very important to
remember that the problems
discussed above are only
relevant to people who are
nightshade-sensitive. If you
are not, there’s absolutely
no reason to eliminate these
foods from your diet as a
precautionary measure. The
same chemical compounds
that cause so many problems
in nightshade-sensitive people
can bring benefits to people
with healthy digestive systems.
For example, capsaicin, found
in hot peppers, has a powerful
anti-inflammatory effect for
most of us and can be helpful in
treating a variety of ailments.Bottom line...
SO HOW DO YOU
KNOW IF YOU
SHOULD AVOID
NIGHTSHADES?PHOTOGRAPHS: LIZA VAN DEVENTER