Do Potatoes Have Nicotine? Nicotine Levels in Vegetables Explained

Nicotine is a naturally occurring alkaloid you might recognise from the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum). But did you know it also pops up in some of your favourite everyday foods? That’s right, this stimulant is found in small amounts in various members of the nightshade family, including tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines, and green peppers.

And it’s not just limited to plants; nicotine can also be found in tobacco-free nicotine pouches, which are either synthetically made or extracted from tobacco. The nicotine concentration in these foods is generally measured in micrograms (µg), and although it is there, it’s in such tiny amounts that it’s hardly noticeable.

Wait… Nicotine in Potatoes?

Yes, you read that right. Potatoes do contain nicotine! It’s a fun fact that catches most people off guard. While nicotine is usually associated with tobacco, it also turns up (in tiny amounts!) in a few everyday vegetables. And yes, your trusty spuds are one of them. However, the nicotine levels in potatoes are negligible compared to those from active smoking.

Why Is There Nicotine in Vegetables?

It all comes down to the plant family. Potatoes, along with tomatoes, aubergines (eggplants), and peppers, belong to the nightshade family, which is the same group that includes the tobacco plant. These plants naturally produce a little nicotine as a built-in defence against pests. Think of it as nature’s very own bug repellent. Interestingly, unripe tomatoes have a higher concentration of nicotine compared to their ripe counterparts.

So, How Much Nicotine Concentration Are We Talking?

Here’s a fact: Potatoes contain about 7 nanograms of nicotine per gram. That’s seven billionths of a gram (a trace amount). To get the same nicotine as one cigarette (about 1 milligram), you’d have to eat over 140 kilograms of potatoes in one go. Only a fraction of this nicotine is actually absorbed by the body. And let’s be honest, that’s not happening at your next roast dinner.

Nicotine in Potatoes vs. Cigarettes

When people hear “nicotine”, they often think of it only in the context of smoking. But here’s the interesting bit: The way nicotine exists in vegetables is completely different. It’s there in such tiny amounts that it has no noticeable effect on the body. You won’t feel it, you won’t crave it, and you certainly won’t get addicted to it from eating chips. Trying to get a nicotine fix by consuming large quantities of vegetables is not a practical solution.

Which Veg Has the Highest Nicotine Levels?

Surprisingly, it’s aubergines (eggplants) that top the veggie nicotine chart. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Aubergine: ~100 nanograms/gram
• Green tomatoes: ~43 nanograms/gram
• Cauliflower: ~17 nanograms/gram
• Potatoes: ~7 nanograms/gram
• Ripe tomatoes: ~4 nanograms/gram

Again, we’re talking about trace levels here — interesting from a science perspective, but not something to worry about when you’re planning dinner.

How Does Nicotine in Food Affect You?

You might be wondering if the nicotine in these foods has any effect on your body. The short answer is: not really. The nicotine content in these vegetables is so minuscule that it’s unlikely to have any significant impact, even if you eat them regularly. To give you an idea, you’d need to chow down on over 10 kilograms of aubergine to match the nicotine content of a single cigarette.

The body easily digests these trace amounts, and they don’t carry the addictive properties found in nicotine products like nicotine pouches. However, some studies suggest that dietary nicotine intake could slightly influence nicotine and cotinine levels in your body fluids, but it’s nothing to lose sleep over.

Does Cooking Reduce Nicotine in Food?

You might think that cooking would zap the nicotine right out of your veggies, but it’s not that straightforward. Research indicates that nicotine is pretty stable under heat, so cooking might not significantly reduce its levels. Boiling could cause some nicotine to leach into the water, but it’s not a major concern. Interestingly, French fries have been found to contain slightly higher nicotine levels than raw or boiled potatoes, likely due to their lower water content.

So, although cooking methods can affect nicotine levels, the overall nicotine content in these foods remains relatively low compared to tobacco products.

Should You Be Concerned About Dietary Nicotine Intake?

Not at all. These natural nicotine levels in vegetables are tiny and completely harmless in a normal diet. There’s no risk of addiction and no impact on your health from eating them.

So yes, your Sunday roast is safe (and still delicious). Unlike smoking, which significantly increases the risk of serious diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, and COPD, dietary nicotine poses negligible health risks.

A Quick, Nerdy Fact

That nicotine in potatoes and aubergines? It’s not there for us. It’s there to help the plant fend off insects. Think of it as the plant's own security system. Clever, right?

Wrapping It Up

So, do potatoes have nicotine? Yep, but it’s nothing to stress about. It's a quirky bit of science that highlights just how interesting nature can be. Those tiny amounts have zero impact on your body, and you’d need a mountain of mash to even come close to the nicotine in a single cigarette.