Tomatoes and the nightshade debate

I don't worry at all about inflammation (inflammation is an important bodily process for healing and anti-inflammation "diets" are just another craze, imho). I'm sure there are some people who could benefit from less, but I don't see any reason to remove inflammatory foods just because. Tomatoes are delicious and any diet that makes you feel guilty is probably not worth your time

Tomatoes are a primary source of lycopene which improves inflammation...there's nothing wrong with tomatoes or any nightshade vegetable. I don't buy the whole anti-inflammatory diet hoopla...and there is no evidence that nightshade vegetables cause inflammation.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321745.php

I had a few years of having to cut back on eating tomatoes among other foods due to a medical condition. Cutting back on those foods was hugely important to preventing flare-ups or reducing the severity. Thankfully that condition has resolved (not sure yet if temporarily or permanently) and I am back to very happily eating lots of tomatoes.

Tomatoes are high in salicylates which can be an issue for some getting in the way of good nutrition. The natural Salicylate in foods is closely related to the active ingredient in the not so humble aspirin. Most fruits and Veg use salicylate to protect themselves from moulds and mildews. An Australian Hospital (RPA) produces a very useful list, herbs and spices being off the scale from a sensitive persons perspective. It seems our lungs for example, our alveoli are closely related to fungi and can react to salicylate in the atmosphere - in pollen, house hold cleaners and perfumes to name only a few problem environmental areas. High salicylate levels aggravated my osteoarthritis, on days I forgot to take my pre exercise pain relief, I had not pain! Such a body is less well able to eliminate these natural substance from their bodies than most other average person. Recent science points to pancreatic deficiencies as well as some digestive enzyme issues. To generalise a reliance on antibiotics and other medications can be implicated.

There are several other natural substances which can also be problematical to the few for instance Oxalates and Histamine - is caused by a natural process of decomposition - foods being past their best, some can only eat the freshest of meats or meals freshly cooked and others nothing processed. Some of us who are less able to eliminate Histamine which builds into inflammation can be deficient in B6 and vit c reduces the bodies ability to make the DAO histaminase enzyme which eliminates the job for the vast majority. There are fewer issues with the second enzyme which also eliminates histamine.

Inflammation can be experienced in a multitude of different unhealthy reactions. I believe, (its true of myself), its only when one's health is truly compromised that someone is forced to try to track down the cause of their inflammation. I think inflammation is probably a catch all sort of word now, which is why it is dismissed by the many really healthy people. Long may they stay so, ill health should be avoided at all costs. Inflammation is usually not an issue for most people so turning to an anti-inflammatory diet will be of no assistance to them. Inflammation can become a real problem when the body is put under undue stress of excess or deficiencies in nutrition restricting the bodies ability to achieve its expected elimination process adequately.

Health problems associated with Ageing are now being spoken of as "inflammaging". As the body ages, particularly when its been subject to excesses or deficiencies of vitamins and minerals even carbohydrates least often proteins and healthy fats which stress the body because it is less able to create the essential enzymes any healthy body needs to eliminate inflammation.

Most of my health issues stem from Salicylate Intolerance and Histamine Intolerance. For the record I have never liked tomatoes, hated tomato soup. I speak as one of a tiny but growing minority.

Please may I ask those who disagree with my comment above what it is that they disagree with?

I ask because I realise your life experience is very different to my own. I will try to look back in later, UK time. Thank you.

I don’t believe the whole notion that nightshades are bad.