Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Negative Effects of Nightshade Vegetables

Nightshades are plants that have been used for centuries as a source of food, medicine, and recreational substances.  Nightshades encompass edible plants like green and red peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, goji berries, and cape gooseberries; weeds like bittersweet nightshades; ornamental plants like petunias; and recreational plants like tobacco and mandrake.

Edible nightshades are no doubt highly nutritious. However, these food items may not be for everyone, and complete avoidance may be needed by individuals who have known sensitivity to nightshade vegetables.

Continue reading and discover more about the negative effects of nightshade vegetables and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends you avoid these types of food.

Nightshade Vegetables’ Risks:

Nightshade vegetables contain a variety of different alkaloids that may cause mild to adverse effects when ingested. For instance, the glycoalkaloid solanine which is a type of toxin is present in tomatoes and potatoes. Solanine intoxication has been found to cause a host of gastrointestinal maladies like vomiting and nausea, and even neurological manifestations like headache and hallucinations.

Another type of alkaloid present in nightshade vegetables is nicotine. Though found in very minute amounts in potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes, individuals who are especially sensitive to this neurotoxin may do well to avoid said edible nightshades. This is because skin conditions like eczema and contact dermatitis, or heart illnesses like severe arrhythmias, may be worsened by ingestion of nicotine through intake of nightshade vegetables.

Present in chillies and habanero chillies is another alkaloid called capsaicin. Though not as toxic as other types of alkaloids, some individuals with heightened sensitivity may present symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pains after ingestion of these capsaicin-containing spices.

Alkaloids in nightshade vegetables may have pro-inflammatory effects in individuals particularly sensitive to these nitrogenous compounds as well. This means individuals with inflammatory diseases like rheumatism, arthritis, and gout may do well to steer clear of nightshade vegetables.

Knowing which these nightshade vegetables are is crucial. These are potatoes, tomatoes, tomatillos, eggplants, peppers, pimentos, cayenne peppers and paprika. If you do not have a particularly heightened sensitivity to nightshade vegetables and you still want to include said food items in your diet, then knowing how to properly select and prepare them is also important.

When buying potatoes, for instance, make sure to choose from the bulk display so that you get to inspect each and every piece. Avoid those with green and sprouted portions as these signify higher alkaloid concentrations. Also, once peeled, wash the potatoes thoroughly under running water so that you can see for sure that you’ve taken out the green portions.

If you suspect that you have nightshade sensitivity and want to know this for certain, then opt to eliminate nightshade vegetables from your diet for at least four weeks. If your contact dermatitis or eczema, or symptoms of rheumatism, arthritis and gout lessen during this phase, then this could mean that you have nightshade sensitivity.  To know for certain if you are nightshade-sensitive, it would be prudent to consult a qualified medical practitioner.

In the next post, I’ll tell you the negative effects of canned vegetables and why you should avoid them to succeed in your quest to Become Superhuman.

In the meantime, if you care to jump ahead, here is a complete listing of the vegetables on Superhuman Food Pyramid:

Eat:

• Sprouts

• Avocados

• Olives

• Asparagus

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Cabbage

• Naturally Fermented Sauerkraut

• Naturally Fermented Pickles

• Bok Choy

• Collards

• Swiss Chard

• Kale

• Mustard Greens

• Nori (Seaweed)

• Organic Greens Powder or Capsule

Moderate:

• Sweet Potatoes

• Yams

• Plantains

• Potatoes

• Corn

• Peas

• Carrots

• Celery

• Cucumber

• Squash

• Zucchini

• Romaine Lettuce

• Red Lettuce

• Iceberg Lettuce

• Fennel

• Radishes

Avoid:

• Canned Vegetables

• Non-Organic, Un-Rinsed Vegetables

Also avoid if autoimmune disease or nightshade sensitivity:

• Potatoes

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Garlic

• Onions

• Eggplant

If you have questions, comments or feedback about the negative effects of nightshade vegetables, the Superhuman Food Pyramid, this website, or other aspects of Becoming Superhuman, then leave your thoughts below, as well as any tips you have on the negative effects of nightshade vegetables.