Do Nightshades Make Us Sick?

Almost all of us have some pains and aches, muscle stiffness, back pain and arthritis. Many people complain about digestive problems, heartburn, even gallbladder issues. Many suffer from insomnia. If you experienced any of these ailments and traditional medicine failed to help you, maybe it’s time to look at your diet and examine it for nightshades. Most of people have no symptoms after eating eggplant, potatoes, or salsa, but some of us are sensitive, and will suffer form pain and inflammation after eating these foods.

The nightshades are members of Solanaceae family that includes herbs, shrubs, trees, our beloved peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, even goji berries. These plants make alkaloids that were designed to keep them safe from the insects. Originally, tomatoes and eggplants were viewed as poisonous and used for decorative purposes. The Mediterranean area people believed that eggplant could cause insanity if eaten daily for a month, they even nicknamed it “mad apple”. One of the alkaloids is called solanine and is considered to be a potent neurotoxin. Most of us build resistance to it over time, but some are more sensitive, and will experience muscle twitching, trembling, joint pain, popping or cracking of joints, migraines and insomnia. Some moms report babies screaming for hours after mom had salsa or tomatoes and then breastfed the baby.

Dr. Garret Smith recently wrote three articles in which he described the effects of nightshades and viewed them as possible factor in inflammation flare ups. The Arthritis Nightshade Research Foundation that was founded in 1980 strongly suggested, that arthritis is only a symptom of many health problems developing in a body and caused mainly by nightshades. There is an estimated 500,000 people worldwide avoiding these foods trying to rid themselves of aches and pains. Muscle pains and tightness, morning stiffness, insomnia, gallbladder issues, heartburn and GERD (acid reflux) are amongst many complaints Dr. Smith connects to the nightshades consumption. He suggests to eliminate all of the nightshade foods including cayenne pepper and paprika hiding in various spices for six months, and then slowly reintroducing them one by one while observing for alarming symptoms. Nature provided us with variety of nutritious foods and we can eat plenty of yams, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, and cauliflower to make sure we get our vitamins and minerals.

Yes, it is hard to imagine life without salsa and potato chips, but pain-free life is well worth the sacrifice!

Renata Cantave is a Registered Nurse and a Holistic Health Coach with a deep passion for nutrition and wellness. She advises men, women, and families on how to improve their health, have more energy, lose weight, and be happier. Visit her at http://www.nulivingsolutions.com for more health tips, information about her coaching services, and delicious recipes.