All vegetables from the nightshade family contain nicotine. Although, these plants only contain a trace amount of nicotine, they're still a great addition to your diet when you're quitting cigarettes. Most of these also contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, which strengthen your body and immune system.
Learning about these foods can help you find the right foods for your diet. It can also help you find the answer to some important questions, like the purpose of nicotine in plants and how it helps your diet.
15 Surprising Foods That Contain Nicotine
Organic sources of nicotine contain only a fraction of the concentration in a single cigarette. However, these foods are still great for quitting nicotine through a good diet. Here's the list of all the foods that can contain nicotine.
Does tomatoes contain nicotine?
Yes, tomatoes contain a trace amount of nicotine, roughly 7 µg per gram. An average medium-sized tomato weighs 200 grams, which means it contains 1400 µg of nicotine. This amount of nicotine is not enough to cause a nicotine buzz or any other effects.
However, this nicotine is enough to make you feel more energetic and active compared to other foods. Tomatoes also contain Lycopene, an anti-oxidant carotenoid, that is great for your organs and skin.
Does potatoes contain nicotine?
Yes, potatoes contain nicotine because it belongs to the Solanaceae family of plants. A ripe potato contains 15 µg of nicotine per gram. A medium-sized potato weights 170 grams and contains, 2600 µg of nicotine.
Green potatoes contain more nicotine, because of the fluids. An unripe potato can contain up to 45 micro grams of nicotine per gram. Potatoes also contain essential vitamin C and a lot of potassium. It's one of the richest sources of potassium in the produce section.
Does eggplant (aubergines) contain nicotine?
Yes, eggplants contain nicotine because they belong to the Solanaceae, nightshade family of plants. Eggplant seeds contain nicotinoid alkaloids. An average eggplant contains 100 µg of nicotine per gram.
The nicotine concentration in eggplants is very low and doesn't affect your body in any major way. It has a fraction of the nicotine in cigarettes and pouches. On the flip side, eggplants have been trove of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Does bell peppers contain nicotine?
Bell Peppers contain an average of 90 pico grams of nicotine per gram. This is a trace amount compared to other plants and vegetables in the Capsicum family. The nicotine content in bell peppers can vary significantly because of their sizes and seeds.
The concentration of nicotine in bell peppers is nothing compared to a standard tobacco plant. However, bell peppers are rich in other nutrients like potassium, vitamin B6, fiber, iron, and manganese.
Does cauliflower contain nicotine?
Cauliflowers contain about 16 µg of nicotine in one gram. They don't belong to the nightshade family but still contain a small amount of nicotine. Cauliflowers are also a rich source of fiber, which helps with digestion, weight loss, and mood.
It's one of the best everyday foods that you should definitely include in your diet. Like eggplants, the nicotine concentration in cauliflowers can vary significantly based on their ripeness and quality.
Does green peppers contain nicotine?
An average green pepper contains 8 to 9 µg of nicotine per gram. The rest of the weight is water, fiber, vitamins, iron, and manganese. Green peppers belong to the capsicum family, and are richer in nicotine compared to other veggies of the same family.
Green peppers also have a lot of iron and vitamin C, which increases iron reception in the body. It's a superfood for people with iron deficiency.
Does hot peppers (chili peppers) contain nicotine?
Hot peppers belong to the capsicum branch of the nightshade family. These spicy peppers have the highest concentration of nicotine. According to the NCBI, hot peppers have a median nicotine concentration of 102 µg per kg of peppers.
It's a significant concentration, which makes it a great source of natural nicotine. Hot peppers are also great for replenishing the vitamins and vital nutrients in your body.
Does teas (black and green) contain nicotine?
Yes, black, green, and Oolong teas contain nicotine. Teas contain around 0.7 µg of nicotine per gram. It's only a trace amount, but the combination with caffeine makes it much more potent and noticeable.
All teas that belong to the camellia sinensis family contain caffeine and a trace amount of nicotine. Teas are also great for staying hydrated and rejuvenating your body. For example, green teas are great for colds, weight loss, headaches, and other minor problems.
Does mushrooms contain nicotine?
Mushrooms contain nicotine, but no one knows how or why. Mushrooms aren't a part of the Solanaceae family, which means it's not related to nicotine plants. Despite this, early studies have detected traces of nicotine in mushrooms.
One study found that mushrooms from China had a higher concentration of nicotine. There are no studies that specify how much nicotine mushrooms contain. Furthermore, there are tons of mushroom types, which leads to a diverse concentration of nicotine.
Does purslane contain nicotine?
Purslane does not contain nicotine, in fact, it's great for removing nicotine from your body. Research in the Macedonia Journal of Medical Sciences states that the anti-oxidant oxalate content of purslane is exceptionally high.
It's great for improving health, detoxifying, and improving everyday functionality. Purslane is also very beneficial because of its high Omega-3 concentration.
Does cocoa (and chocolate) contain nicotine?
According to the Institute of Food Technologies, chocolate contains 7 µg of nicotine per gram. Ripe cocoa might contain more nicotine, depending on their size and harvest time. Overall, the nicotine concentration is not significant by itself.
Cocoa also contains about 2.3 mgs of caffeine per gram of weight. The caffeine-nicotine combo and creamy flavor make it an attractive and addictive food. Cocoa and chocolate are also a great source of vitamins, iron, calcium, and zinc.
Does artichokes contain nicotine?
Artichokes belong to the Asteraceae family and do not contain nicotine. While these greens don't have nicotine, they are great for removing nicotine from your system. Research published in the NCBI states that artichoke leaf extract can increase nicotine excretion from your bloodstream.
It's great food for quitting nicotine before a surgery or medical procedure. It's also great for quick detoxes and rebooting your body.
Does okra contain nicotine?
Okra does not contain nicotine, but it is often used to create a tea infusion to quit smoking. The tea keeps your cravings at bay, eliminates bad breath, and refreshes your body. While these effects are great, the vegetable doesn't contain any nicotine.
You should still include Okra in your diet because it is enriched with potassium, fiber, magnesium, folate, and vitamin C. It's great for keto, and can help you flush nicotine out of your system.
Does kale contain nicotine?
Kale does not contain nicotine. However, recent testing has found residues. It isn't a good sign because it means the kale is contaminated with pesticides and other pollutants. Kale belongs to the mustard family and doesn't have a natural reserve of nicotine.
However, a test, conducted and published in Oxford, determined that Kale could retain nicotine residues and contaminants for well over a week. This is concerning because Kale is considered to be one of the dirtiest produce by the USDA due to excess fertilizer and pesticide sprays.
Does mustard greens contain nicotine?
Mustard greens do not contain a noticeable nicotine concentration. However, these green goodies are rich in beta-carotene, a great anti-oxidant that boosts health and value. It's great for boosting your diet with enriched vitamins, fiber, minerals, and iron.
Why Do Some Foods Have Nicotine?
Plants have nicotine because it is a natural deterrent against pests. Over millions of years, plants have evolved via natural selection. Plants with deterrents like capsaicin and nicotine have a much better survival rate because bugs and other animals hate it.
Nicotine also makes plants more resilient by giving them natural immunity to different diseases. Unsurprisingly, the stimulating effects of nicotine helps plants grow faster. It's one of the reasons why tobacco plants are so resilient and quick to grow.
Nicotine Concentration Volatility in Foods
The nicotine concentration in organic food varies because of their size and freshness. For example, ripe eggplants have less nicotine compared to green eggplants. Furthermore, certain pesticides or fertilizers can significantly increase or decrease the nicotine concentration of vegetables.
Green potatoes might have more nicotine, but eating them could cause more problems. Nicotine pouches and tobacco products like snus have fixed nicotine concentrations. For example, ZYN has fixed 3 mg and 6 mg pouches that does not change in each individual pouch.
Benefits of Nicotine Rich Foods for Humans
Nicotine is well-known for its stimulatory effects, which means it can affect your metabolism. However, most foods have minute amounts of nicotine, which won't have much of an effect. While the nicotine doesn't affect you, the other nutrients can.
Nicotine rich foods are often rich sources of iron, vitamins, and other minerals. These stabilize your diet and make your immune system much stronger. Nicotine rich foods also have a bitter taste that spoils the taste of tobacco and acts as a deterrent.
Are Natural Nicotine Foods Addictive?
No, nicotine rich foods are not addictive. All natural foods contain only a small amount of nicotine, which isn't enough to create a nicotine buzz, let alone an addiction. These foods have very little effect on your diet and hardly stimulate your glands.
Can Nicotine Rich Foods Help You Quit Smoking?
No, nicotine rich foods do not have enough nicotine to replace cigarettes. Most of these foods have trace of amounts of nicotine, which can't give you a buzz or replace your standard nicotine cravings. While some are used to quit cigarettes, it's mainly because of their additional effects.
For example, Okra doesn't contain nicotine, but people use the tea to quit smoking. The bitter flavor and added nutrients keep your cravings at bay.
How Does Your Body Get Nicotine From Food?
When you eat food, the nicotine enters your bloodstream through the mucous membranes of your mouth, the linings of your stomach, and other organs. Nicotine products on the other hand diffuse nicotine through your body, primarily through the mucous membranes.
Because of the mucous membranes, the absorption rate of nicotine products is much greater compared to foods. It's also why nicotine products offer a much stronger nicotine buzz compared to foods with nicotine.
Conclusion: Night Shade Family Plants Contain Nicotine
All plants from the nightshade family, including tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants, contain traceable levels of nicotine. While vegetables contain nicotine, the concentrations are lower than a few micro grams. It's not enough to quit tobacco or nicotine.
However, using some of these plants in vegetables can substantiate your nicotine cessation attempts. Most of these are also great sources of fiber, vitamins, iron, and other essential nutrients, which help your body flush out nicotine and regain strength.
Read our guide on how to quit cigarettes for more information. Choose the right foods and nicotine pouches to live a healthier and more fulfilling life.
