How poisonous are green potatoes, or solanine poisoning?
This article will tell you about green potatoes and the toxin solanine.
You've probably heard that the green part of potatoes that's been exposed to light shouldn't be eaten. Indeed, these parts contain a toxic chemical called solanine. This toxic glycoalkaloid is found in all nightshade plants, not just potatoes. It's a natural pesticide and can protect plants from insects.
Belladonna, or common deadly nightshade, is the most dangerous plant containing solanine. Its berries are extremely poisonous. However, the same poison is also found in edible plants, although in smaller quantities. These include:
- potato;
- sweet and hot peppers;
- eggplants;
- tomatoes.
All parts of the above plants contain this toxic compound, so you can get poisoned if you eat too many of their leaves, tubers, or fruits.
However, the production of glycoalkaloids in plants increases only in the presence of photosynthesis, so it is usually the green parts of plants that are toxic.
Solanine is toxic if ingested through food or drink. Studies show that poisoning symptoms occur with ingestion of 2-5 mg/kg of body weight, while death can occur with ingestion of 3-6 mg/kg of body weight.
The onset of symptoms, their number, and severity depend on the individual characteristics of the poisoned person, their sensitivity to the chemicals, and the dose. Symptoms can appear as early as 30 minutes after consuming food rich in solanine, or as late as 8-12 hours later.
The most prominent symptoms are gastrointestinal and neurological. These include abdominal cramps, nausea, burning throat, headache, dizziness, and diarrhea. Heart rhythm disturbances, hallucinations, visual changes, slow breathing, fever, jaundice, hypothermia, sensory loss, dilated pupils, and death are also possible.
An adult would need a lot of potatoes. But who would eat them? They're so tasteless!
Potatoes contain more than just the toxin solanine. They also contain a related compound, chaconine. It's found in potato eyes, leaves, and stems. Solanine in potatoes is primarily concentrated in the peel. So, if you eat only the peel or the eyes, you're guaranteed to be poisoned. Solanine levels vary among different potato varieties. Fertilized potatoes will have higher levels of the toxin, while unfertilized potatoes will have lower levels.
Because so many factors must be taken into account, it's difficult to determine exactly how many green potatoes it would take to cause poisoning. Most likely, you'll need 2-2.5 kg of regular potatoes and 900 g of green potatoes.
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Potatoes are a nutritious and tasty vegetable, so even knowing they contain toxic substances, you shouldn't exclude them from your diet. However, it's best to avoid green potatoes. A bitter taste indicates a high solanine content. If you haven't noticed the greenness of a potato and have boiled it, don't eat it with the skin on. The same goes for baked potatoes. The green, or bitter, part should be removed. Children shouldn't eat green potatoes because they weigh less and require much less solanine to be toxic. Furthermore, children are generally more susceptible to toxins.
If you experience symptoms of poisoning after eating green potatoes, consult a doctor. However, if you feel well, you can wait 1-3 days. In general, take your time based on how you feel.
Plants containing solanine
Belladonna, or common deadly nightshade, is the most dangerous plant containing solanine. Its berries are extremely poisonous. However, the same poison is also found in edible plants, although in smaller quantities. These include:
- potato;
- sweet and hot peppers;
- eggplants;
- tomatoes.
All parts of the above plants contain this toxic compound, so you can get poisoned if you eat too many of their leaves, tubers, or fruits.
However, the production of glycoalkaloids in plants increases only in the presence of photosynthesis, so it is usually the green parts of plants that are toxic.
Solanine toxicity
Solanine is toxic if ingested through food or drink. Studies show that poisoning symptoms occur with ingestion of 2-5 mg/kg of body weight, while death can occur with ingestion of 3-6 mg/kg of body weight.
Symptoms of solanine poisoning
The onset of symptoms, their number, and severity depend on the individual characteristics of the poisoned person, their sensitivity to the chemicals, and the dose. Symptoms can appear as early as 30 minutes after consuming food rich in solanine, or as late as 8-12 hours later.
The most prominent symptoms are gastrointestinal and neurological. These include abdominal cramps, nausea, burning throat, headache, dizziness, and diarrhea. Heart rhythm disturbances, hallucinations, visual changes, slow breathing, fever, jaundice, hypothermia, sensory loss, dilated pupils, and death are also possible.
How many potatoes do you have to eat to get poisoned or die?
An adult would need a lot of potatoes. But who would eat them? They're so tasteless!
Potatoes contain more than just the toxin solanine. They also contain a related compound, chaconine. It's found in potato eyes, leaves, and stems. Solanine in potatoes is primarily concentrated in the peel. So, if you eat only the peel or the eyes, you're guaranteed to be poisoned. Solanine levels vary among different potato varieties. Fertilized potatoes will have higher levels of the toxin, while unfertilized potatoes will have lower levels.
Because so many factors must be taken into account, it's difficult to determine exactly how many green potatoes it would take to cause poisoning. Most likely, you'll need 2-2.5 kg of regular potatoes and 900 g of green potatoes.
We recommend:
Protect yourself from solanine poisoning
Potatoes are a nutritious and tasty vegetable, so even knowing they contain toxic substances, you shouldn't exclude them from your diet. However, it's best to avoid green potatoes. A bitter taste indicates a high solanine content. If you haven't noticed the greenness of a potato and have boiled it, don't eat it with the skin on. The same goes for baked potatoes. The green, or bitter, part should be removed. Children shouldn't eat green potatoes because they weigh less and require much less solanine to be toxic. Furthermore, children are generally more susceptible to toxins.
If you experience symptoms of poisoning after eating green potatoes, consult a doctor. However, if you feel well, you can wait 1-3 days. In general, take your time based on how you feel.
Author of the article: Natalia Semenova "TopCook"
Votes: 2
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