It’s the season for magic spells, witches, ghosts and goblins. It is also a perfect time to get those nightshades into your diet. Nightshade fruits and vegetables include white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, green, yellow or red bell peppers, hot peppers, and the tobacco plant.
Other less recognizable nightshade plants include belladonna, tomatillos, pimentos, ground cherries garden huckleberry and Morning Glory as well as the seasonings/spices are Tabasco sauce, Paprika, and Cayenne pepper.
Other less recognizable nightshade plants include belladonna, tomatillos, pimentos, ground cherries garden huckleberry and Morning Glory as well as the seasonings/spices are Tabasco sauce, Paprika, and Cayenne pepper.
Nightshades contain a group of substances called alkaloids. Alkaloids can adversely affect people with joint problems who are sensitive to these compounds. (Note that cooking nightshades can decrease the alkaloid content by up to 50 %.)
That said nightshades are actually nutrition powerhouses. Eggplant, for example, is loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants. With its delicious taste and “meaty” texture, eggplant is a favorite among vegetarians and is extremely versatile in cooking. With zero fat and a mere 27 calories in a 1-cup serving, eggplant makes an excellent addition to any diet.
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