Toxic? Is the green tomato potion a cancer risk?

Toxin Solanin: How dangerous is the green stalk of tomatoes?
Everyone has already wondered in the preparation of tomatoes, whether the green stalk should be removed, and if so, why? Is this a myth that persists, or is there really something to it about cutting off the green on tomatoes, as the toxins it contains damage your health? Already the grandma knew to report that Strunk is a cause of cancer! We will explain below.

Not all parts of the tomato are edible
Tomatoes are extremely popular with Germans. Professionals and hobby chefs fall back on them to prepare delicious dishes such as sauces, soups or salads. Because tomatoes are about 90 percent water, they are particularly low in calories and therefore well suited for light cuisine. In addition, they contain a lot of vitamin C, potassium and fiber as well as various other healthy phytochemicals. But not all parts of the delicious fruit are really edible. The stem of the tomato contains the toxic substance Solanin, which can lead to health problems.

Tomatoes with green stalk. Meal and cut out better? Image: Pixelot-fotolia

Depending on the amount absorbed, solanine may cause discomfort such as dizziness, headache, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and scratching and burning in the throat. In a high dose of three to six milligrams per kilogram of body weight, it can even be fatal. Even if red-fleshed tomatoes are still green, they contain solanine.

Especially children should not eat unripe tomatoes. After the death of a 79-year-old man from Baden-Wuerttemberg who died in his garden last year after consuming a dish of zucchini, health experts had warned the public and told them how to identify solanine or other potentially deadly bitter substances.

Cut out the stalk and green spots
Sven-David Müller, state-approved dietician and diabetes consultant of the German Diabetes Association and chairman of the German Center of Excellence for Health Promotion and Dietetics in Cologne warned years ago:
"The stem and other green spots should be cut away because they contain poisonous solanine." However, the common assumption that eating tomato stalk could cause cancer is a "food tale". There is no scientific evidence for this.

According to the expert, however, large quantities of green tomatoes would have to be consumed in order to cause signs of intoxication. And even if not all places have been removed accurately, you do not have to worry about preparing a tomato sauce: Solanin is heat instable. "Cooking is about a third, half lose the frying," explained the nutrition expert. (Ad)