Tomatoes contain solanine, which is a toxic alkaloid. This alkaloid is a part of the plant’s defense mechanism to make the fruit look unappealing to animals. Though all parts of the plant contain solanine (including the fruit), the heaviest concentrations are in the leaves and stems. Hence, consuming tomatoes in normal amounts is not toxic.
You could be thinking “Are Tomatoes poisonous?”
One way to consider this is I know, I just said the tomato isn’t poisonous. The fruit isn’t, but the leaves, roots, and stem (and, in limited doses, even some unripe fruit) are rich in tomatine, an alkaloid that’s mildly toxic to humans.
Our favorite answer was the effects, while unpleasant, are not life threatening. In fact, I could find no record of an actual poisoning due to tomato plant toxicity; solanine poisoning from eating green potatoes is more likely to occur (and even that is rare). As far as the toxicity of tomatoes with regards to animals, again, very large amounts would need to be ingested.
And indeed, some people seem so highly sensitive to tomato alkaloids, they may not even be able to eat mature tomatoes even though their alkaloid level is very low. So, if green tomatoes make you feel queasy, don’t eat them!
What happens if you eat too many Tomatoes?
Tomatine is also toxic but less so. However, when ingested in extremely large doses, it may cause gastrointestinal problems, liver, and even heart damage. It is highest in concentration in the leaves, stems and unripe fruit; ripe red tomatoes have very low doses of tomatine.
Can you be allergic to tomatoes?
The compound called histamine in tomatoes may lead to skin rashes or allergic reactions. Hence, if you are allergic to tomatoes, then you may experience swelling of mouth, tongue and face, sneezing and throat infection among others. Meanwhile tomatoes can also cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Another frequent question is “Can you be allergic to Tomatoes?”.
Some have found that Another thing to consider is cross-reactivity. If you’re allergic to tomatoes, then you may also be allergic to other plants from the nightshade family, such as potatoes, peppers (and hot peppers), eggplants, and even tobacco.
The best answer was if your face swells, your throat closes up, eyes get puffy and close up, and you have trouble breathing, then get emergency medical help immediately. These reactions could be life-threatening, as you are likely experiencing anaphylaxis. Tomato allergy eczema is also a common allergic reaction that comes from handling tomatoes.
While I was reading we ran into the query “Can Tomatoes cause a skin rash?”.
A skin rash from tomatoes can be the result of allergic contact dermatitis. This is a condition in which the skin becomes red, itchy and inflamed by coming in direct contact with an allergen, per the Cleveland Clinic. According to an August 2012 review in Contact Dermatitis , tomatoes and other plants can cause contact dermatitis.
So, can you be allergic to tomatoes but not other nightshades?
Our answer was an individual with a tomato allergy is also prone to allergic reactions with other nightshades, including potatoes, tobacco, and eggplant. Often, people with a tomato allergy will have a cross-reaction to latex as well (latex-fruit syndrome). Symptoms of a tomato allergy.
One inquiry we ran across in our research was “Is it possible to be allergic to tomato sauce?”.
Answer: I don’t think so, but I think you could have a stronger reaction to tomato sauce because it has a very concentrated amount of tomatoes in it. If not, you could be allergic to another ingredient in the tomato sauce.
With OAS, the tomato allergy is not considered the true allergy because it is a consequence of the grass pollen allergy. What this means is that a person with a grass pollen allergy will likely have a tomato allergy, but not the other way around. OAS tends to be a one-way street in which the pollen is the true allergy.
Can you eat tomatoes if you have hives?
Eliminating all fruits with a high amount of natural food chemicals can help you better manage your hives symptoms and significantly improve the appearance of your skin. Although tomatoes and avocados are most commonly eaten as vegetables, they actually belong to the fruit family.
A tomato allergy can also cause a reaction on skin elsewhere on the body. Some people develop itchy hives that can arise on some or all of their skin. They may also get a rash, which can be persistent if they do not take tomatoes out of their diet.
Why do I get itchy lips after eating tomatoes?
If you develop itchy skin primarily on your lips or in your mouth and throat after eating tomatoes and you have hay fever, you may be experiencing oral allergy syndrome. A food allergy can be life threatening and if you’re having difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention.