Re: OT: Potato Toxicity
- To:
- Subject: Re: OT: Potato Toxicity
- From: L*
- Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 11:24:35 -0800
>Just for kicks, I looked up "potato plant" using this same database. It
>doesn't mention that any part *is* edible and someone not familiar with
>spuds might read this as "the whole plant". It shows "Major toxicity:
>Ingestions of these plants, especially in large amounts, are expected to
>cause serious effects to major body organs such as the liver, heart or
>kidneys. If ingested, call the poison center immediately for more advice."
>and "Animal toxicity: These plants are known to cause problems in animals."
>That ought to make ya think twice the next time someone asks "You want
>fries with that?" :)
Not a surprise. Potatoes (solanum tuberosum) are a member of the
nightshade plant family, or Solanaceae species. So are tomatoes, eggplant,
garden peppers, tobacco, petunias. Some medicinal drugs have been
developed from this species... belladonna, atropine, and scopolamine, the
latter being used in sleeping pills. The white potato contains the
glycoalkaloid, solanine, which is present throughout the potato but mostly
in the peel. Potato breeders have attempted to keep the solanine content at
a level low enough for save human consumption. Same with tomatoes.
Norman Childers, PhD, a professor with the University of Florida, has
written a book on nightshades, aging, and ill health, as it relates to
Arthritis... a book I recommend reading.
Kitty Loberg
No. Calif.
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