Exactly What Are Nightshade Vegetables?

Nightshade vegetables belong to the Solanaceae family of plants. Due to the belief that nightshades promote inflammation, many people eliminate them from their diets.

The vegetables are highly nutritious, however, and little to no evidence supports the claim that they cause inflammation, though some people do notice beneficial changes in their health when they avoid nightshades.

1. Nightshades

While many people associate the name nightshade with extremely poisonous plants, such as belladonna, most nightshade vegetables are generally safe for consumption. Like most fruits and vegetables, nightshades are rich sources of many nutrients. However, all types do contain alkaloids that are toxic in large quantities.