Some Vegetables Worsen Inflammation, According to Doctorst

The first thing you think of when you hear the word “vegetables” is probably healthy. However, Doctor Janine Bowring shared recently on the internet that some specific vegetables may not agree with your body and may even lead to aches and pains because these vegetables can supposedly increase inflammation. 

How Harmful Can Inflammation Be?

You may hear a lot of misinformation about which foods can be great for an anti-inflammatory diet and which cannot, especially in recent times since it’s becoming a hot topic of discussion among nutrition fanatics throughout social media.

Inflammation can be simplified as a bodily response. Our immune system reacts in this way when a part of our body is injured, infected, or irritated—anything that our body detects remotely as abnormal or something that doesn’t belong, such as germs or toxins. The process after the body detects the abnormality starts with the release of chemicals that cause our vessels to increase blood flow in the injured or infected area. You may already know the common symptoms: redness, heat, and pain. Inflammation’s main purpose is to protect tissues and speed up the healing process, and although it sounds like a beneficial body necessity, in some cases, it can lead to severe tissue damage.

Chronic inflammation is the name given to cases of inflammation where it persists longer than usual and there’s no apparent cause that led to it. Chronic inflammation is often linked to heart disease, lupus, cancer, Alzheimer’s, depression, and more serious illnesses. The main causes tend to be anxiety, obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle, hormonal imbalances, smoking, or drinking. However, the main cause usually boils down to a poor diet filled with sugars, trans fats, and processed foods. Meat can also be an offender.

Nightshade Vegetables and Inflammation

As mentioned previously, vegetables are known to be the pillars of a healthy diet, and most green leafy vegetables are good alternatives to opt for when treating inflammation. Other foods that are very good at reducing inflammation are salmon, walnuts, garlic, green tea, and fruit (especially berries).

Nevertheless, as the title mentions, this is about vegetables that you should be aware of consuming when your body is going through inflammation. These are nightshade vegetables.

Nightshades range from day-to-day vegetables to poisonous plants, and they tend to be rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. This group of vegetables is known to contain alkaloids. One type of alkaloid they contain acts as a natural pesticide: solanine. 

Solanine isn’t actually harmful to humans, only when it is consumed in large amounts. Ingesting high levels of this natural pesticide can cause nausea and vomiting. Some nightshade vegetables that contain solanine are tomatoes, sugar beets, eggplant, bell peppers, and especially potatoes. When potatoes turn green, they tend to release more solanine than usual.

Solanine reacts differently depending on the individual. Some people are highly sensitive to this compound, and a large amount of these vegetables can increase inflammation. People who suffer from diabetes or heart disease are more prone to experiencing this. The scientific explanation of why this happens is because solanine can damage the gut lining, therefore causing inflammation. 

The evidence on this is limited, and professionals recommend taking note of how your body reacts to these vegetables rather than reducing or cutting their consumption immediately. Furthermore, if you really believe these vegetables may be causing you inflammation, talk to your doctor. Food sensitivity manifests differently in every person. Your doctor will know if you should be tested for food sensitivities or not depending on your symptoms.

The Bottom Line:

Take note when ingesting potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants because nightshade vegetables have been found to contain a natural compound that is known to be pro-inflammatory when consumed in large amounts.