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Glycoalkaloids (solanine)
Natural defense chemicals in nightshade plants. Levels are highest in green or sprouted potatoes and potato skins.
Who reacts
Anyone at high doses, for example from green potatoes. A link between normal nightshade intake and joint pain is popular but not proven.
Typical onset
2 hours to 24 hours after you eat it
Linked symptoms
NauseaStrong evidence
DiarrheaStrong evidence
Stomach pain or crampsStrong evidence
HeadacheModerate evidence
Joint pain or stiffnessWeak evidence
Where you find it
High:Green or sprouted potato
Medium:Potato with skin / fries
Low:Tomato · Tomato sauce / ketchup · Potato (peeled) · Bell pepper · Chili pepper / hot sauce · Eggplant · Spice mix (curry, paprika, cumin)
Sources
- Friedman 2006, J Agric Food Chem 54(23):8655 — potato glycoalkaloids in the diet