Are Nightshade Vegetables Aggravating Your Arthritis?
by A. Grano on September 28th, 2010 at 7:00 am
Could easing arthritis pain be as simple as eliminating a few foods – particularly those from the “nightshade” family? Many people claim that altering their diet has shown substantial changes in their symptoms- for better and for worse. “Nightshade”, aka the common name for over 2,800 species of plants, encompasses not only a wide group of foods, but also herbs, shrubs, and trees.
Nightshade plants contain alkaloids, which been studied for their effects on nerve-muscle functioning and joint functioning. There has been speculation that alkaloids may contribute to joint damage as a result of inflammation and alteration of calcium in the body.
While research says that there is not yet a definitive correlation between certain foods worsening osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other joint problems like gout, for those with sensitivity to alkaloids, there may be a link.
Some common nightshade vegetables include:
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Eggplant
- Sweet and hot peppers
- Tomatillos and tamarillos
- Pepinos and pimentos
If you find your symptoms worsening after eating any of these foods, perhaps it is worth a test to eliminate these foods for several weeks and monitor results.
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