If you are a fan of American football, you might have heard that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen have been following a pretty strict diet that limits their intake of nightshade vegetables.
Is eliminating these vegetables a wise move or an extreme measure?
Nightshade vegetables are actually pretty common. They include many of the vegetables that people tend to think of as being quite healthy, such as peppers, aubergines, and tomatoes. However, some dieticians believe that these types of vegetables are not very good for you.
Before you nix the nightshades, you might want to learn a little more about them and then decide if it is worth keeping them in your diet.
What are nightshade vegetables?
Nightshade vegetables are more than just peppers, aubergines, and tomatoes. In fact, more than 2,000 different species can be categorised as nightshades. They belong to a botanical family called Solanaceae and include foods such as okra, cayenne, paprika, artichokes, and potatoes.
Why are nightshades so controversial?
Nightshades contain chemical compounds known as alkaloids, which have been known to cause inflammation within the body. This inflammation can lead to joint pain, chronic diseases, premature aging, and sleep problems. However, there is not a lot of research on the real impact of alkaloids on the body. In addition, these vegetables are loaded with lots of nutrients and antioxidants. It is important to note that the high alkaloid content of these vegetables can be significantly reduced if you bake, boil, or steam them before you eat them.
Is a nightshade-free diet worth it?
Many doctors say that unless you have an allergy to a specific nightshade vegetable, you should not eliminate them from your diet entirely. Nevertheless, if you think that they could be causing a problem, eliminate them for three weeks without changing anything else about your diet and see how you feel.
If you eat nightshade vegetables on a regular basis and feel good, there is absolutely no reason to follow in the footsteps of two celebrities. Keep in mind that many celebrities follow fad diets, which are often unhealthy and can do more damage than good. It is always a good idea to talk to
your doctor before changing your diet.
Maintaining your health and staying slim depend on following a healthy, balanced diet that includes a wide range of vegetables.
