The glowing benefits of nightshade vegetables

Even though many of our favourite vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes are nightshades, they often have a negative reputation owing to their glycoalkaloid content. These naturally occurring compounds can cause digestive problems such as nausea and diarrhoea when eaten in excess. Moreover, most nightshades contain solanine, a type of glycoalkaloid, believed to increase inflammation relating to arthritis. That said, the concentration of solanine in most vegetables is very low, especially if they are fully cooked. As long as you consume these vegetables in moderation, there is little reason to avoid them entirely.

For most people, cutting out nightshade vegetables from one’s diet may pose a more significant risk instead, considering the health benefits:

• Nightshade vegetables contain dietary fibre supporting gut health, cardiovascular health and weight management
• Most are also rich in vitamins A and C, which promote one’s general well-being
• The antioxidant present in eggplants has the ability to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and infections
• The antioxidant found in tomatoes has the potential to reduce the risk of heart disease
   

Evidently, nightshade vegetables are a great source of nutrition. They support overall health and can protect your body from chronic diseases, including cancer. A study even suggests that solanine in these vegetables can help kill many types of cancer cells. Nightshade vegetables like eggplants also contain a natural pigment called anthocyanin, which is said to have cancer-fighting properties.