Solanine is a substance found in nightshade plants, including tomatoes, white potatoes, all peppers (except black pepper), and eggplant.

In theory, if it is not destroyed in the intestine, solanine could be toxic.

A horticulturist, Dr. Norman Childers, hypothesized that some people with Osteoarthritis (OA) may not be able to destroy solanine in the gut, leading to solanine absorption resulting in OA.

Eliminating solanine from the diet has been reported to bring relief to some arthritis sufferers in preliminary research.

Researchers have never put this diet to a strict clinical test; however, the treatment continues to be used by some doctors in people who have OA.

Proponents claim exclusion of solanine requires up to six months before potential effects can be seen.

Totally eliminating tomatoes and peppers requires complex dietary changes for most people.

In addition, even proponents of the diet acknowledge that many arthritis sufferers are not helped by using this approach.

Therefore, long-term trial avoidance of solanine-containing foods may only be appropriate for people with severe cases of OA who have not responded to other natural treatments.

Back to Fab Foods