Tag: Tomato toxicity

Historically, tomatoes were feared as poisonous fruits, a reputation stemming from their relation to nightshades. Today, while the ripe, red fruit is celebrated for its nutritional benefits, understanding which part of tomato is not good for health is crucial for safe consumption, especially concerning leaves, stems, and green tomatoes.

Tomatoes were once feared as poisonous by Europeans due to their relation to deadly nightshade. However, while the ripe fruit is safe and nutritious, the leaves and stems of the tomato plant contain glycoalkaloid toxins, such as tomatine and solanine, making them the part of the tomato you should not eat.

While ripe red tomatoes contain negligible amounts of glycoalkaloids, unripe green tomatoes can have levels up to 32 mg per 100 grams, according to some studies. This stark difference in concentration answers the crucial question of how much solanine is in a tomato and directly impacts its edibility.