Can eating tomatoes flare up your Psoriasis?

Tomatoes are an extremely healthy and nutrient-dense fruit and there is no doubt about it. Its tanginess and distinct flavour makes it an important part of Indian cuisine. Loaded with the benefits of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, fiber and protein, the citric fruit is known for its numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

But it is also linked with different kinds of health-related myths. As per some, it can lead to kidney stone due to high oxalate content, while as per others, it can flare up the problem of psoriasis as it belongs from the family of nightshade vegetables.

Psoriasis is a skin condition with no known cure. It is an autoimmune disease, caused due to the overactive immune system. It is a chronic health condition in which new skin cells develop on top of existing, healthy ones. It looks like patches and can appear in any part of the body. The extra cells can cause itching and at times can even crack and bleed.

Nightshade vegetables or fruits are referred to the plants belonging to the Solanaceae family (botanical classification for plants). There are more than 3000 different varieties of herbs, fruits and vegetables that fall into this family. Out of all, we only consume a handful of vegetables and fruits like Tomatoes, Eggplant, Potatoes, Paprika, Cayenne pepper to name a few. It is not clear why it is known as nightshade plants, but as per stories earlier the plant grow used to grow in shades and hence it got its name.

No research supports the claim that tomatoes can flare up psoriasis. Tomatoes are nutrient-dense vegetable and eating it can be good for your skin, eyesight and heart health. You do not need to cut down tomatoes from your diet for this reason. There might be some other reasons for your flare-ups. However, if you still believe that it is because of tomatoes then you can avoid it.

Psoriasis is indeed an autoimmune disease, but some lifestyle habits can make it worse. Here are a few things you must be careful about when dealing with this health condition:

• Avoid smoking cigarettes
• Manage your weight
• Avoid coming in contact with any kind of irritants
• Manage your stress levels, and
• Reduce your alcohol intake