Six everyday foods you probably didn't know contain nicotine

Potatoes, cauliflower, green peppers and tomatoes among the common foods which contain the alkaloid

According to the ONS, 6.6million people in the UK are nicotine dependent. Whilst it’s no secret tobacco and nicotine pouches contain the substance, how much do Brits really know about nicotine, and where else can it be found?

Nicotine is a naturally produced alkaloid and stimulant found in the Solanaceae (also known as the nightshade family of plants), which the tobacco plant also belongs to. That means there are small doses of nicotine in common fruits and vegetables Brits eat every day.

However, whilst it is nicotine that produces a ‘buzz’ as it stimulates the pleasure centres of the brain, you don’t need to worry about becoming addicted to any of your favourite fruits and vegetables anytime soon. Markus Lindblad from Northerner explains: “Whilst nicotine is naturally present in foods we eat on a daily basis, the levels are extremely small, so there is no way you can become addicted to them.

"When you consume these foods, the tiny concentrations of nicotine travel through your intestines and your body easily digests it. In comparison, nicotine products (such as nicotine pouches) have much larger amounts of nicotine which get absorbed into the bloodstream.

“Nicotine found in nightshade plants and other foods is measured in micrograms (µg). One million µg equals one gram, so the levels are minimal. However, it's good for people to have an understanding of what nicotine is and where it can be found. Maybe especially interesting for nicotine pouch and vape users.”

Aubergine

Markus says: "One of the everyday foods that contain nicotine, often found in vegetarian dishes, is the aubergine. The aubergine is in fact a large plant of the nightshade family and for every gram of the much loved fruit you’ll find it contains a surprising 100 µg of nicotine. However, you’d still need to eat 10kg of aubergine to be consuming the same amount as a cigarette."

Tea

Markus added: "A staple across the UK, tea is loved by many Brits. But some brewed and instant teas (both black and green) can contain nicotine.

"Usually, the concentration of nicotine in teas ranges from between 100 to 285 µg/gram, so again, you would need to drink a lot of brews to feel any kind of effect from it."

Potatoes

"On average, a potato can contain about 15 µg/gram of nicotine. Ripening and green potatoes contain a higher concentration of nicotine (about 42 µg/gram), but thankfully this is when they are less likely to be consumed. However, if you decide to mash your potatoes or puree them, the nicotine concentration can increase up to 52 µg/gram."

Cauliflower

“Perhaps the most surprising everyday food that contains nicotine is the cauliflower. Although cauliflowers are actually not in the nightshade plant family, they still contain around 16.8 µg/gram of nicotine," Markus said.

Green peppers

"Another one of the most popular vegetables, green peppers peppers are also known to contain nicotine. It might only be a small amount, but everyday green peppers can contain anywhere between 7.7 to 9.2 µg/gram of nicotine."

Tomatoes

"Whilst unripen tomatoes tend to contain a higher concentration of nicotine, as they ripen the concentration does tend to drop. An average tomato you will find in the supermarket is likely to contain around 7.1 µg/gram of nicotine."

Is nicotine bad for you?

Although nicotine is a very addictive substance it’s relatively harmless. It’s the carbon monoxide, tar and other toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke that’ll cause serious damage to your health.

Clean forms of nicotine, like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are licensed to help people quit smoking. These might be patches or gum for example. They’re are much safer than smoking as they’re nicotine only. They don’t have other additives or toxic chemicals, and are proven to be safe and effective.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which takes the place of oxygen in your blood. This forces your heart to work much harder and stops your lungs from working properly. Your cells and tissues will be prevented from getting the oxygen they need. This can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Tips to quit smoking:

1. List your reasons to quit.
2. Tell people you're quitting.
3. If you have tried to quit before, remember what worked.
4. Use stop smoking aids.
5. Have a plan if you are tempted to smoke.
6. List your smoking triggers and how to avoid them.
7. Keep cravings at bay by keeping busy.
8. Exercise away the urge.
9. Join the Facebook group for support and advice.