Eggplant is a much-loved vegetable for its rich flavor and culinary versatility, but did you know that this Mediterranean staple has some unsavory elements that could be considered poisonous?
Eggplants, like tomatoes, peppers and potatoes, are part of the botanical family solanaceae, otherwise known as nightshades. If that sounds at all sinister to you, it’s because this family of plants have carried with them the unsavory stories of their past.
In the Middle Ages, “beauty tonics” were made with a member of the nightshade family, belladonna (from where the plant got its common name, meaning ‘beautiful lady’ in Italian). Unfortunately, when the women who used belladonna-laced beauty tonics began to suffer side effects such as seizures and breathing difficulties, the plant began to be used for more sinister purposes as a poison.
But what does this have to do with eggplants, you ask? These delicious vegetables, while not nearly as dangerous as belladonna, also contain the bitter-tasting alkaloids used as a chemical defense mechanism: solanine.
“You would have to eat a tremendous amount of eggplant in a serving to do yourself any harm,” America’s Test Kitchen’s Science Editor, Paul Adams, said.
“A ripe eggplant contains the most solanine: 75 micrograms per gram of fruit,” he added. “In order to injure herself, a 150-lb person would need to eat about 40 million micrograms of solanine, which is 500,000 grams of eggplant, or 1000 eggplants in a single sitting.”
Solanine, a compound found in eggplant, limits calcium absorption. Numerous digestive problems, such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and cramping, can result from solanine poisoning. Before cooking, wash the eggplant with a fruit and vegetable cleaner to ensure its safety for use.
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Published Dec. 28, 2021.
Eggplant is a much-loved vegetable for its rich flavor and culinary versatility, but did you know that this Mediterranean staple has some unsavory elements that could be considered poisonous?
Eggplants, like tomatoes, peppers and potatoes, are part of the botanical family solanaceae, otherwise known as nightshades. If that sounds at all sinister to you, it’s because this family of plants have carried with them the unsavory stories of their past.
In the Middle Ages, “beauty tonics” were made with a member of the nightshade family, belladonna (from where the plant got its common name, meaning ‘beautiful lady’ in Italian). Unfortunately, when the women who used belladonna-laced beauty tonics began to suffer side effects such as seizures and breathing difficulties, the plant began to be used for more sinister purposes as a poison.
But what does this have to do with eggplants, you ask? These delicious vegetables, while not nearly as dangerous as belladonna, also contain the bitter-tasting alkaloids used as a chemical defense mechanism: solanine.
But here’s why you don’t need to be too worried about it.
“You would have to eat a tremendous amount of eggplant in a serving to do yourself any harm,” America’s Test Kitchen’s Science Editor, Paul Adams, said.
“A ripe eggplant contains the most solanine: 75 micrograms per gram of fruit,” he added. “In order to injure herself, a 150-lb person would need to eat about 40 million micrograms of solanine, which is 500,000 grams of eggplant, or 1000 eggplants in a single sitting.”
Which, for the vast majority of us, is a near-impossible undertaking.
How to Tell if You Have a Stomach Bug or Food Poisoning: A Complete Guide
FAQ
Can you get sick from eating bad eggplant?
What happens if you eat undercooked eggplant?
How do you know when eggplant goes bad?
What are the side effects of eating eggplant?
Is eggplant poisonous raw?
A lot of people wonder if eggplant is poisonous raw because it’s a member of the nightshade family of vegetables. Or they might think, “can eating raw eggplant make me sick?” Read on to find out. (Spoiler: everyone’s going to be OK!) Can You Eat Eggplant Raw? Luckily, the answer is yes!
Is eggplant bad for kidneys?
There is a concern for people who get kidney stones and include eggplant in their diet. Eggplant contains oxalates which can contribute to the formation of kidney stones. Individuals who suffer with kidney stones may need to limit their intake of eggplant and other foods containing oxalates.
Can you eat a ripe eggplant?
“You would have to eat a tremendous amount of eggplant in a serving to do yourself any harm,” America’s Test Kitchen’s Science Editor, Paul Adams, said. “A ripe eggplant contains the most solanine: 75 micrograms per gram of fruit,” he added.
Is it safe to eat a 500th serving of eggplant?
So the next time you enjoy a dish of Sautéed Eggplant with Polenta or Roasted Zucchini and Eggplant Lasagne, you can rest assured that you’ll be perfectly safe to do so… just try to avoid that 500th serving. These six recipes are among our all-time favorites.