I have seen a number of new cases lately of people with acute arthritic symptoms in their hands, knees, backs and other areas of their body. When I ask them if they have been eating more tomatoes, eggplants and/or capsicums, the answer is often “Yes”.
This time of year these foods are in abundance in backyards all around the country and we have a large variety of them to choose from in the shops. Potatoes are also a regular part of many people’s diet but unfortunately these can also cause problems, especially if they have green patches or have started to sprout.
A problem for many people is that their body cannot metabolize (break down) a particular substance called solanine, which is a glycoalkaloid found within certain foods. The solanine then builds up in the major organs, including the thyroid gland and skeletal muscles and can causes all sorts of problems. This can result in an inflammatory response and different people have various levels of sensitivity, depending on genetics, your nutritional status or other factors.
Foods from the Nightshade family of plants (Solanaceae) all contain the chemical solanine, which is a naturally-occurring toxin found in a number of different plants. For example, Tomatoes contain tomatine; eggplants contain alpha-solanine; capsicums and chillies contain solanadine and potatoes (not sweet potatoes) possess solanine. Solanine chemicals can also be found in Goji berries, cayenne pepper, paprika and the herb ashwagandha. Other things to watch for are potato starch, which is used in many food products including thickening agents; homoeopathic medicines that contain belladonna and natural ointments for pain and inflammation that contain capsicum (cayenne). Pharmaceutical medications that contain potato starch as a filler (such as certain sleeping pills, muscle relaxants) may also contain solanine. Atropine and Scopolamine, commonly used in sleeping pills contain solanine. In addition, artichokes, okra and blueberries have some.
