Night Shades: What Are They?

They’re plants, herbs, and veggies that fall under the Solanaceae family.

This family includes a bunch of plants that naturally have organic compounds called alkaloids, which can be toxic.

The nightshade family includes around 2700 plant species, many of which are utilized for medicinal and farming purposes.

The exact origin of the name ‘nightshade’ remains a mystery, but it’s believed that it was named because many of its species thrive better in shady conditions.

Poisonous or not?

If all nightshade plants were truly poisonous, then foods like ‘tomato chutney’, french fries, and baingan bharta, which many of you enjoy, would also be toxic, since, believe it or not, tomatoes, potatoes, and brinjal all belong to the same family.

The toxic nature of nightshade plants might seem complicated.

If harvested and prepared correctly, some nightshade plants can actually be safe and even beneficial for health.

However, consuming them in large quantities can be harmful.

Take the potato, for instance. If you choose the right ones and prepare them properly, they can be eaten without any issues.

If you come across a green potato, get rid of it right away! This is one of those rare occasions when seeing green is a bad sign.

Solanine

Solanine is one of the primary alkaloids found in nightshades.

It’s a toxic chemical compound classified as a glycoalkaloid.

It has a bitter taste and is highly poisonous, even in small amounts.

However, it does serve a purpose for the plant.

Kryptonite is Superman’s weakness in DC comics, solanine acts as a defense mechanism against threats like pests and insects.

It has pesticidal properties and serves as the nightshade’s natural protection.

It was first extracted from black nightshade berries back in 1820.

This chemical compound can naturally occur in any part of the plant, including leaves, stems, fruits, and sprouts.

The usual amount of solanine produced isn’t really harmful to human health.

However, there are instances when typically safe nightshades like tomatoes and potatoes experience significant environmental stress, leading them to generate excess solanine as a defense mechanism.

If these nightshades are found to have high levels of this compound, it’s best to steer clear of consuming them.

This is particularly true for green potatoes, unripe tomatoes, and eggplants.