7 Foods Containing Nicotine, Dangerous to Health?

JAKARTA – Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical compound found in cigarettes, chewing tobacco and vaping products. However, nicotine is also found in some foods. You’ll find natural alkaloids and stimulants in Solanaceae, also known as the solanaceae family of plants.

Then, which plants are included in the Solanaceae family and how to eat foods that contain them nicotine affects the body, is it dangerous for health? Quoted by star insider, here is the review.

What is nicotine?

Nicotine is an alkaloid found in certain plants, such as the Nicotiana tabacum plant, which is used to produce tobacco products. Nicotine is thought to act alternately between a stimulant and a depressant and is highly addictive.

Dangers of nicotine

Nicotine can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, blood flow to the heart and narrowing of the arteries.

Nicotine causes the release of dopamine in the brain, which makes people feel happy. Over time, the brain begins to crave that feeling from nicotine. There is no evidence that foods containing nicotine can help overcome cravings.

However, according to research, consuming foods that contain natural nicotine can help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Foods Containing Nicotine

1. Eggplant
Eggplant belongs to the Solanaceae family and contains approximately 100 micrograms of nicotine per eggplant. However, you would need to consume 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of the purple fruit to consume the same amount of nicotine as a cigarette.

2. Green peppers
Although green peppers contain nicotine, the amount is only small, namely 7.7 to 9.2 micrograms per pepper.

3. Tomatoes
Ripe tomatoes contain approximately 7.1 micrograms of nicotine per tomato. The nicotine content in tomatoes decreases as they ripen. Unripe tomatoes contain approximately five times more nicotine than ripe varieties.

4. Potatoes
On average, one potato contains 15 micrograms of nicotine. Potatoes that are ripe or still green contain a higher concentration of nicotine (approximately 42 micrograms per potato).

If you mash or puree potatoes, the nicotine concentration can increase to 52 micrograms.

5. Cauliflower
Even though it is not a member of the Solanaceae family, cauliflower contains approximately 16.8 micrograms of nicotine per cabbage.

6. Tea
Tea is part of the Solanaceae family. The nicotine concentration in tea ranges from 100 to 285 micrograms.

Research on mice shows that the antioxidants in green tea can help treat damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver caused by excessive nicotine intake.

7. Spinach
The nicotine content in spinach leaves varies from 1 to 2 micrograms per gram. Spinach also contains vitamin B9, which reduces nicotine levels in the body.

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