Six everyday foods you probably didn’t know contain nicotine
Potatoes, cauliflower, green peppers and tomatoes among the common foods which contain the alkaloid
On average, a potato can contain about 15 µg/gram of nicotine. Keep up to date with the latest stories with our WalesOnline newsletter. More Newsletters Subscribe. According to the ONS, 6.6million people in the UK are nicotine dependent. Nicotine is a naturally produced alkaloid and stimulant found in the Solanaceae family of plants, which includes tobacco plants. This means that small doses of nicotine can be found in common fruits and vegetables consumed daily.
Whilst nicotine is known to produce a ‘buzz’ by stimulating the pleasure centres of the brain, the levels found in everyday foods are minimal and not addictive. Markus Lindblad explains that these tiny concentrations of nicotine are easily digested by the body and are measured in micrograms (µg). Aubergines, for example, contain about 100 µg of nicotine per gram. However, consuming the equivalent amount of nicotine found in a cigarette would require eating 10kg of aubergine.
Tea, both black and green, can contain nicotine ranging from 100 to 285 µg/gram. Potatoes, especially ripened and green ones, may have concentrations of nicotine up to 42 µg/gram or even 52 µg/gram in mashed potatoes. Cauliflower surprisingly contains around 16.8 µg/gram of nicotine, while green peppers can have between 7.7 to 9.2 µg/gram. Tomatoes have an average of 7.1 µg/gram, with unripened ones having higher concentrations.
Although nicotine is addictive, it is relatively harmless compared to the other harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke. Clean forms of nicotine, like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), are safer options to help people quit smoking. These aids, such as patches or gum, only contain nicotine without additional toxins. Carbon monoxide, tar, and toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke are the main culprits for health issues related to smoking. By understanding where nicotine is found and its effects, individuals can make informed choices regarding their consumption.
Tips to quit smoking include listing reasons to quit, informing others about your decision, using stop smoking aids, identifying triggers, staying busy to distract cravings, exercising, and seeking support from groups. Remembering past successful quit attempts and having a plan when tempted to smoke can help individuals on their journey to quit smoking.