Does anyone else have problems with blueberries?

[journeyman]

Blueberries are in season so I've been eating lots of them. The next thing I eat after having blueberries usually hurts my teeth. One day I had 10 pints of them and I got diarrhea like symptoms (loose powdery stools and sudden urges to go).

I thought this might be a detox thing at first but it seems like it happens everytime I eat more than a pint.

Should I stay away from blueberries?

[MysticTree]

your body isn't used to eating a pint or more of blueberries. If it were then it would probably be ok. It's not so much that you should stay away from blueberries - unless they are the type that have been artificially coloured - it's just that you maybe should look at eating blueberries in moderation, at least until your body is accustomed to eating them in larger amounts.

[EscapeArtist]

Maybe you have a sensitivity to the solanine in blueberries? Do you have a similar problem with tomatoes, eggplant, peppers? It is found in nightshade vegetables as well as blueberries pretty significantly and artichokes. That's all I can think of. I personally stay away from blueberries because i have an issue with solanine

"Solanine is an alkaloid toxin found in members of the nightshade family, such as eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, and the infamous deadly nightshade or belladonna. This toxin is part of the plant's defense mechanism, and it is designed to make nightshades unappealing and deadly to animals which might attempt to eat them. Most animals, including humans, have learned the lesson and learned to leave nightshades alone. Leaves, roots, flowers, stems, and fruits can all contain solanine in varying levels.

This toxin has neurological and gastrointestinal effects. When it is ingested in large enough quantities, it can cause nausea, cramps, joint pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, in addition to symptoms like confusion, dizziness, difficulty walking, and slurred speech. Eventually, the body will become overloaded with the toxin, causing organs to fail and eventually leading to death or severe injury. Solanine appears to affect the mitochondria of the cells as it spreads through the body." <--- I think in this case they are talking about a larger dose of solanine, pretty impossible to cause those other severe effects just eating solanine rich food. Although I did read that 2 people died from green potatoes, but that's about it..

[Revvell]

Maybe you have a sensitivity to the solanine in blueberries? Do you have a similar problem with tomatoes, eggplant, peppers?

Do you usually eat 10 pints of tomatoes, eggplants or peppers in a day? :no:

What Mystic said. :yes:

[CathyA.]

Wow thats a lot of fiber to take in if you aren't used to it. Not surprised about the diarrhea.

[Arky]

Salicylates can also be an issue for the liver and/or gastrointestinal system but I confess I'm a little confused about the tooth sensitivity as blueberries aren't outrageously acidic unless they're very unripe.

[journeyman]

Thats what I was thinking that I just wasn't used to it. I had 1 pint yesterday and am having slight problems today.

The blueberries grown a few miles from my house are delicious. Do you think I will be able to build up to eating more of them?

[Raw Angel Mom]

I hope they are either wild or organic. That would be a lot of pesticide otherwise.

If they are organic, i recalled when i started to have fruit in the morning (back in the 80's), i would also have this discomfort. It didn't last and my body stabilize.

I wouldn't stop eating blueberry just yet. They are so powerful, healing and anti-oxidant.

Hope you feel well soon

[MysticTree]

Thats what I was thinking that I just wasn't used to it. I had 1 pint yesterday and am having slight problems today.

The blueberries grown a few miles from my house are delicious. Do you think I will be able to build up to eating more of them?

yes you will but possibly not before the season is over!

[GlimR]

Ten pints is a lot to eat at one time...sounds like you just cleaned yourself out with them.

[Arky]

Still not sure about the teeth although ten pints is rather a lot of vitamin C, no matter how 'mild' it is within the buffered state of a blueberry.

Certainly enough vitamin C to explain the loose stools though.

[belleadonna]

WOW. Ten pints?? Your colon probably thought that it was a stick up!!:excited:

[Arky]

WOW. Ten pints?? Your colon probably thought that it was a stick up!!:excited:

either that or it thought:

"O Thou who has given us so much, mercifully grant us one thing more-a break from all these darned blueberries!" :)

[belleadonna]

AMEN!!:throwhearts:

[journeyman]

I haven't had blueberries since my last post and haven't had any more problems till today. I've been eating grapes the past 2 days (not a ton of them) and the same thing happened. In my stool I can clearly see the green grape skins. Thats about all that was in my stool. I thought I saw blueberry skins before but it was harder to tell.

I guess I can't digest that type of fruit skin.

I found someone on another forum that had the same problem but no one could give an answer.

I didn't have this problem a few years ago before I was raw when I ate grapes often. Maybe back then my digestion wasn't as quick and the skins got mixed in with the other junk.



I'd appreciate an answer to this if anyone knows.

Until then I guess I'll avoid fruits with that type of skin. I had the problem with raspberries as well.

[MysticTree]

How well are you chewing up your food? I wouldn't worry too much. Anything with cellulose in can't be fully digested. You are going to see grape skins. If you eat corn then you'll see whole kernels if you don't chew well.

Just eat raw food and chew it well. It will all come good but compare how long you ate SAD and how long you've eaten raw and consider that raw has a ways to catch up yet.

[Steven]

How well are you chewing up your food? I wouldn't worry too much. Anything with cellulose in can't be fully digested. You are going to see grape skins. If you eat corn then you'll see whole kernels if you don't chew well.

Just eat raw food and chew it well. It will all come good but compare how long you ate SAD and how long you've eaten raw and consider that raw has a ways to catch up yet.

I think this fits with your mention of corn, I found this interesting:
http://www.thefirstsupper.com/mythsmore/corninyourcrep.html

journeyman, are you eating leafy greens at all? If not that could be the problem, try eating some daily(such as a green smoothie) and that should help your digestion.

[MysticTree]

Steven:
I eat loads of greens. Still get sweetcorn but not always. When I eat it off the cob it gets chewed really well. When I cut it off the cob and add to salads then it gets chewed less well. Another plus for mono meals I think.

Journeyman:
Did you study you stools as closely before you went raw?

[Mary Kay]

Belledonna - You have me cracking up.

I have been wondering about the solanine thing for a year or so because I have arthritis in my pinky finger. I do eat blueberries - often and in small amounts. I eat other nightshades in small amounts too --but often.

I have also been thinking about starting another post for this.

But in the meantime, if anyone has any comments about it...go for it....

Journeyman -- Many skins are not digestible. But either way, chewing well, does help. And all that indigestible fiber has benefits too.

Mary Kay