The True Cost of Tomatoes

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Isn't the lycopene in tomatoes good for that prostate?

That particular group is high in alkaloids that affect joint function.

[Zero Sum 305]

That particular group is high in alkaloids that affect joint function.

Then don't eat tomatoes if you have arthritis.

Or do what a chemist would do- get those alkalods neutralized with acidic ingredients in your food.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Then don't eat tomatoes if you have arthritis.

Or do what a chemist would do- get those alkalods neutralized with acidic ingredients in your food.

I don't think anything you could safely ingest would compete with gastric acid with a pH of (1.0-2.0).

In fact, the opposite may be true: Steroidal alkaloids can inhibit the uptake of certain cancer drugs.

Edited June 17, 2011 by Some Old Guy

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Not sure what the obsession with tomatoes is. When I see folks picking them strawberries around here, that doesn't really look much more fun. Why is nobody attacking the strawberry? Or the eggplants, for that matter. Same people picking all that stuff. None of them seems to be from around here.

[Zero Sum 305]

I don't think anything you could safely ingest would compete with gastric acid with a pH of (1.0-2.0).

Neutralize them before they enter your stomach, old man.

pH is not about competition, you still get neutralization even with diluted vinegar. I'm thinking tomato sauces. Simmer that for a while and most of those alkaloids break down I bet.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Neutralize them before they enter your stomach, old man.

pH is not about competition, you still get neutralization even with diluted vinegar. I'm thinking tomato sauces. Simmer that for a while and most of those alkaloids break down I bet.

About 40 to 60 percent by cooking, if you are lucky. The stuff is persistent.

I know. We used to make electric chili up in Box Canyon in my hippie days.

Edited June 17, 2011 by Some Old Guy

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

pH is not about competition, you still get neutralization even with diluted vinegar. I'm thinking tomato sauces. Simmer that for a while and most of those alkaloids break down I bet.

As do vitamins and other nutrients leaving you with a mash that might be easier on them joints but not good for much else. Why not just find a different fruit to consume?

[Zero Sum 305]

About 40 to 60 percent by cooking, if you are lucky. The stuff is persistent.

I know. We used to make electric chili up in Box Canyon in my hippie days.

I know too, remember, me = chemist.

Try to remember as well that its a gradual alkaloid buildup that will only affect you IF you are susceptible to its effects. And the kind of nightshade effects are much more prevalent from spuds and those kinds of food staples. While they are consumed a bit in the US, tomatoes are not eaten as much as other kinds of fruits/veggies in this group. Relax.

As do vitamins and other nutrients leaving you with a mash that might be easier on them joints but not good for much else. Why not just find a different fruit to consume?

He could do that too. Just trying to help.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I know too, remember, me = chemist.

Try to remember as well that its a gradual alkaloid buildup that will only affect you IF you are susceptible to its effects. And the kind of nightshade effects are much more prevalent from spuds and those kinds of food staples. While they are consumed a bit in the US, tomatoes are not eaten as much as other kinds of fruits/veggies in this group. Relax.

I take my fish oil, and avoid them potatoes and tomatoes. Now, I rarely have to take them NSAID's to keep my joints from inflaming, which screw up more than just heart valves.

[Zero Sum 305]

I take my fish oil, and avoid them potatoes and tomatoes. Now, I rarely have to take them NSAID's to keep my joints from inflaming, which screw up more than just heart valves.

Good call then. Hope you stay healthy.

[sandinista! 1,816]

anecdotes are fine, but no medical studies have borne out any relation between tomatoes and arthritis flare-ups. and tomatoes are weird in that cooking them down to mush for marinara sauce or a yummy moroccan salad i love called zaalouk, is still good for you nutrition-wise. cooking them releases more lycopene. you lose some vitamin c, but that's not hard to pick up elsewhere. cooked tomatoes are one of the best sources for that particular nutrient. there's a little bit in watermelon and papaya, but not as much. and a huge amount in this funny looking fruit called gac, that's much more common in se asia

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

Then don't eat tomatoes if you have arthritis.

Or do what a chemist would do- get those alkalods neutralized with acidic ingredients in your food.

yeah if hal was around, we could just ask him.