Arthritis is a chronic disease in which inflammation of the connective tissues and muscles surrounding joints causes pain, stiffness and swelling. Arthritis may also cause bone loss and permanent disfigurement of the joints. Typically, the symptoms of arthritis worsen with age. Consumption of certain plants, called nightshades, may worsen symptoms.
Activity of Nightshades
Nightshades are characterized by the presence of alkaloids, according to Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Alkaloids are substances that interfere with the production of cholinesterase -- they are neurotoxins that may damage nerve endings in your joints, increasing pain sensations associated with arthritis. The alkaloids in nightshades may also increase joint inflammation and stiffness, and may contribute to degradation of bone matter by removing calcium from your bones.
Nightshade Vegetables
Several vegetables commonly found in the typical American diet are classified as nightshades. Eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes are among the most commonly consumed nightshade vegetables. Most types of peppers, including jalapeno, habanero, serrano, cayenne, tabasco and sweet bell peppers are part of the Solanaceae family of plants, which are nightshades; black pepper, however, is not a nightshade. Pimentos and tomatillos are also glycoalkaloid-containing nightshades.
Tobacco
Tobacco is well known for containing nicotine and a host of other harmful chemicals; however, this plant is also considered a nightshade, according to Donald Barceloux, author of "Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances." Nicotine is the primary alkaloid in tobacco -- this alkaloid makes up between 2 percent and 4 percent of the dry weight of tobacco leaves. Tobacco is dramatically higher in alkaloids by weight than vegetables.
Considerations
Cooking may reduce some of the alkaloid content in nightshade vegetables, according to Barceloux. However, it cannot completely destroy alkaloids -- cooked nightshade vegetables may still contribute to arthritis pain, swelling and stiffness. If you have arthritis, replace nightshade vegetables with other vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, legumes, mushrooms and squash in cooking. Also, eliminating tobacco use may help to manage pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; 2010
- "Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances"; Donald G. Barceloux; 2008
