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Are Red, Green, White Onions & Garlic Nightshades?

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Different types of onions and garlic are two of the most commonly used vegetables in our foods. You might know that onions have different types. They can be red, green, or white. These vegetables are used in thousands of dishes throughout the world.

When it comes to knowing details about these vegetables, you might want to know whether they are nightshades or not.

Well, you have to know the requirements of being nightshade and whether red, green, white onions, and garlic fulfill those or not. So, let’s see details about these vegetables.

Are red, green, white onions & garlic nightshades?

Red, green, white onions, and garlic are not nightshades. Generally, red, green, and white onions have different tastes. But they are from the same Liliaceae family of plants. So, they are not nightshades. Moreover, garlic is also not a nightshade. They are from a different family of plants.

Nightshades are some specific plants that are from the same family of plants. Generally, these plants have a compound name solanine. This compound can be toxic to humans and animals. Not all the vegetables and fruits from the same family plants are toxic.

But people often try to avoid nightshade vegetables and fruits for safety and to avoid allergies. So, many people get confused when it comes to onions and garlic.

Generally, onions are not nightshades. Onions can be different types and they are from different species of plants also. But they are not the nightshades. So, they don’t contain solanine. Moreover, garlic is also not from the nightshade family.

Many people think that garlic is a nightshade. Because the people who are allergenic to nightshades have also allergies to garlic.

So, they get confused and think that garlic is a nightshade. But garlic is from different families and species of plants. So, garlic doesn’t contain solanine and is not in the nightshade family.

Many common vegetables that are nightshades have similarities to onions and garlic. Even, some spices are also in the nightshade family.

So, people often get confused that onions and garlic are nightshades. But these are not nightshades. So, they don’t contain solanine also. But you should also avoid overeating onions and garlic.

What are nightshades?

Nightshades are plants and fruits from the Solanaceae family. Generally, these plants contain a solanine compound that is toxic to humans and animals. Many crops, medicinal plants, spices, weeds, etc., are in the family of these plants.

Some of the most common vegetables and fruits are nightshades. For example, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, peppers, blueberries, etc., are nightshades. But all nightshades are not dangerous for humans and animals.

Some nightshades have a trace amount of solanine. So, they are pretty safe to eat. But some are highly toxic. So, it’s essential to know about nightshades.

What vegetables belong to the harmful nightshade family?

You might know that some common vegetables are in the nightshade family. But if you want to know details about the harmful nightshade family vegetables, then here is a list. Let’s see what vegetables belong to the nightshade family.

Tomatoes:

Generally, tomatoes are one of the most beneficial vegetables. They are a great source of vitamins and nutrients.

But tomatoes are nightshade vegetables that have solanine compounds. Generally, tomatoes don’t harm instantly. But if you take too many numbers of tomatoes, you might face reactions.

Potatoes:

Potatoes are one of the most used vegetables throughout the world. But potatoes are also one of the nightshade vegetables. Generally, potatoes have a little amount of solanine that doesn’t cause any problem But don’t overeat potatoes.

Eggplants:

Eggplants are another nightshade vegetable. So, they contain solanine compounds. Though eggplants have many other nutrients, they can also be toxic. So, when it comes to using eggplant in your food, you should limit the amount.

Peppers:

Peppers are another common vegetables that we use as spices. But peppers are nightshades.

So, they have the solanine compound that you should avoid. But the amount of solanine in peppers is not high. So, you can eat a moderate amount of peppers.

Tomatillos:

Tomatillos are also in the nightshade family. So, if you consume too many of these, you can face reactions and problems in your digestive system. So, limit the amount of consuming tomatillos.

What makes a plant a nightshade?

A nightshade plant is from the Solanaceae family that contains some specific chemical compounds. For example, nightshade plants have some amount of alkaloids in them. Though the amount might be small, alkaloid compounds make plant nightshade.

Moreover, the alkaloid might be solanine most time. Solanine is a toxic compound for humans and animals. So, solanine makes plant nightshade.

Nightshade plants include eggplant, tomato, potato, pepper, etc. These plants and their similar species can be nightshades. Moreover, most plants in the Solanaceae family are nightshades.

Why are nightshades not good?

Nightshades are not good because they can affect your health. Generally, nightshades a highly toxic contain solanine compounds. So, nightshades are considered responsible for causing inflammation in your body.

Moreover, if you consume a large number of nightshades, they can cause digestive problems. For example, you might face allergic reactions, vomiting, diarrhea, etc., after overeating nightshade vegetables and fruits.

Moreover, you might face inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, etc., in the long run. So, nightshades are considered bad for your health.

Final Thoughts:

Red, green, and white onions are not nightshades because they are not from the Solanaceae family. Different colors of onions don’t contain solanine like the nightshade vegetables. Moreover, garlic is also not from the nightshade family. So, it also doesn’t contain solanine.

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