Which food is listed as likely to aggravate RA due to being in the nightshade family?

• A. Tomatoes and potatoes (nightshade family)
• B. Spinach
• C. Bananas
• D. Rice

Answer: (A)

Nightshade vegetables are a group some people with RA find can worsen symptoms because they contain alkaloids that may influence inflammatory pathways in sensitive individuals. Tomatoes and potatoes are classic examples of this family, with other nightshades including peppers and eggplant. In this item, the food listed as part of the nightshade family is tomatoes and potatoes, so it’s the best choice for identifying a potential RA-trigger food. Spinach, bananas, and rice are not nightshades, so they’re less likely to be implicated by this mechanism. Remember, responses vary and some people notice improvements when avoiding nightshades, while others don’t.