The alkaloids in these foods may trigger more intense symptoms
Many people believe that nightshade foods may contribute toarthritis.
The plants belong to the scientific order of Polemoniales and the Solanaceae family of plants.
Hot sauces made from hot peppers are considered nightshades.
Dougal Waters / Digital Vision / Getty Images
Also, ground cherries, garden huckleberry, naranjilla, and even tobacco are considered nightshades.
Note that sweet potatoes, yams, and black pepper are not included among the nightshades.
There is not a consistent explanation for why nightshades or alkaloids have been implicated in arthritis.
One theory suggests that nightshades removecalciumfrom bone and deposit it in soft tissue.
Another theory is that nightshades may have pro-inflammatory substances, provokingimmuneandinflammatoryreactions in the body.
Most information has come from surveys and patient testimonials, not human scientific studies.
Be sure to talk to your doctor about such a pattern if you notice it.
If you choose to try, do it methodically by keeping a food and arthritis symptom diary.
Cleveland Clinic.Arthritis: Should you avoid night shade vegetables?
Arthritis Society Canada.The truth about nightshades and arthritis.
2009;(1):CD006400.
2010;110(5):727-35. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2010.02.010.
