Tomatoes have been a staple in so many cuisines. While it’s well-loved, its leaves contain so many myths, with most labeling the leaves as poisonous. Let’s look at some of the common myths surrounding tomato leaves.
Myth 1: They’re Poisonous
Tomatoes are distantly related to belladonna, or as some people may know, nightshade. Many people assume that this relation means they are also poisonous.
This is an old wives’ tale that predates 16th century Europe because wild tomatoes looked like belladonna berries.
Myth 2: Tomato Leaves Have a Huge Amount of Alkaloids
Alkaloids are found in every vegetable and are used as a defense mechanism against all kinds of threats. Even if we consume them in our daily diet, it’s not enough to cause harm to us.
Myth 3: It’s Poisonous to Dogs, So It’s Also Poisonous to Us
Some plants like cacao are bad for dogs but don’t cause harm to us. Tomato leaves can cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs, but it takes a huge amount of quantity for them to kill them.
Myth 4: Tomato-Leaf Spray can Kill Pests and is therefore Bad for us
The tomatine that is be found in organic tomato-leaf sprays cannot harm you unless you’re allergic to them.
Conclusion
There’s no harm in consuming tomato leaves. In fact, in some studies, it’s found to contain a good amount of antioxidants.
