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The claim that tomatoes and other vegetables contain high levels of nicotine is mostly false. While some vegetables contain trace amounts of nicotine, the levels are insignificant and harmless
Comparing these tiny natural traces to the highly concentrated, addictive nicotine in tobacco is misleading. (THIP Media)
A social media post claims that tomatoes and other vegetables contain high levels of nicotine. We did the fact check and determined that this is mostly false.
The Claim
An Instagram post claims that tomatoes are the third-highest nicotine-containing vegetable, with green tomatoes having ten times more nicotine than red ones. It also states that bell peppers, cauliflower, celery, zucchini, and other nightshade vegetables contain “tons of nicotine,” second only to tobacco. The post questions why nicotine is regulated when it’s present in common vegetables.
Fact Check
Do vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes contain nicotine?
Yes, but in tiny amounts. Some vegetables from the nightshade family—such as tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines (eggplants or brinjals), and bell peppers (capsicum)—naturally contain nicotine. But the levels are extremely low:
- Red tomatoes: 4.1–4.3 micrograms per kg
- Green tomatoes: 42.8 micrograms per kg
- Potatoes: 7.1 micrograms per kg
- Aubergines (eggplants): approximately 100 micrograms per kg (the highest among vegetables)
- Cauliflower: 3.8–16.8 micrograms per kg
For comparison, a single cigarette contains 10,000 to 14,000 micrograms (10-14 mg) of nicotine. The amounts in vegetables are negligible and not harmful. These figures come from a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. A 1999 study also found that tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines, and peppers contain 2–7 micrograms per kg of nicotine, with levels decreasing as tomatoes ripen. Tea leaves showed more variation, sometimes containing higher amounts. On average, people consume about 1.4 micrograms of nicotine per day from food, with high consumers reaching around 2.25 micrograms per day—still far too low to have any effect.
For an expert perspective, we spoke with Deepalakshmi Sriram, Registered Dietitian at The Cleft & Craniofacial Centre and Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital, Chennai. She says, “Yes, vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, and aubergines do contain nicotine, but in extremely tiny amounts. It’s so low that it doesn’t affect the body or cause any harm. To put it in perspective, you’d have to eat kilos of these vegetables to get even a fraction of the nicotine found in a single cigarette. They’re perfectly safe to eat and are actually very nutritious.”
Is the nicotine content in green tomatoes ten times higher than in red ones?
Yes, but it’s still insignificant. Green tomatoes have around 42.8 micrograms per kg, while ripe red ones contain 4.1–4.3 micrograms per kg. This means green tomatoes have about 10 times more nicotine than ripe tomatoes, but even at its highest, the quantity remains too low to have any effect on the body.
Do these vegetables have “tons of nicotine,” second only to tobacco?
No, that’s completely false. The nicotine content in vegetables is nowhere near the levels found in tobacco. Even the highest vegetable source, aubergine, has only 100 micrograms per kg—which is still thousands of times lower than tobacco products.
Why is nicotine regulated if it’s present in vegetables?
Because of the quantity and its effects. The tiny traces of nicotine in vegetables don’t have any addictive or harmful impact. In contrast, tobacco products contain high concentrations of nicotine, designed to be addictive and harmful. Regulations exist to control these concentrated forms, not the harmless traces found in food.
Should nightshade vegetables be avoided due to nicotine?
No, there’s no reason to avoid them. The nicotine levels in these vegetables are far too low to pose any health risk. In fact, nightshades like tomatoes, potatoes, and bell peppers are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients that support good health.
However, some people with nightshade sensitivities—such as those with arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—may experience discomfort from other compounds in these vegetables, such as solanine, not nicotine. Symptoms could include joint pain, digestive issues, or inflammation, but this varies from person to person. For most people, the benefits far outweigh any concerns. So, is it safe to eat brinjal if you have arthritis? Yes, in moderation, though it may trigger allergies in some individuals.
We reached out to Shruti K Bhardwaj, Chief Clinical Nutritionist at Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad, to find out whether it is necessary to avoid nightshade vegetables due to their nicotine content. She says, “There’s no need to avoid nightshade vegetables because of their tiny nicotine content. The amounts are so small that they have no harmful effects on health. In fact, vegetables like tomatoes, aubergines, and peppers are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre, which are great for your overall health. The benefits of eating these far outweigh any concerns about nicotine.”
THIP Media Take
The claim that tomatoes and other vegetables contain high levels of nicotine is mostly false. While some vegetables contain trace amounts of nicotine, the levels are insignificant and harmless. Comparing these tiny natural traces to the highly concentrated, addictive nicotine in tobacco is misleading. Nicotine regulations exist to control its harmful forms, not the minuscule amounts found in food.
This story was originally published by THIP Media, and republished by News18 as part of the Shakti Collective.
