Is There Nicotine In Vegetables? Foods With Trace Amounts

Yes, some vegetables contain trace amounts of naturally occurring nicotine. These include nightshade vegetables such as eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. However, the amounts are extremely small and are not comparable to nicotine levels in tobacco or nicotine products. 

Key Takeaways
View more
  • Some vegetables naturally contain trace amounts of nicotine. 
  • Eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers are commonly cited examples. 
  • Nicotine levels in foods are measured in nanograms per gram, which are extremely small amounts. 
  • Food-based nicotine levels are not comparable to nicotine levels in tobacco or nicotine products. 

What Foods Naturally Contain Nicotine?

Nicotine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in tobacco plants. It can also be detected in other plants, including certain vegetables in the nightshade family, such as eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.

 

Among commonly cited vegetables, eggplant is often listed as one with the highest measured nicotine content. Even so, the amount is very small: about 100 nanograms (ng) per gram, or 0.1 micrograms (µg) per gram.


For context, 100 grams of eggplant contains roughly 0.01 milligrams (mg) of nicotine. That is a trace amount and is not a meaningful source of nicotine exposure. 

Do Tomatoes Have Nicotine? 

Tomatoes are also part of the nightshade family and can contain naturally occurring nicotine. Reported levels vary depending on ripeness and preparation: 

 

  • Green tomatoes contain about 42.8 ng/g. 
  • Ripe tomatoes have around 4.3 ng/g. 
  • Pureed tomatoes register roughly  52.0 ng/g.
     

These amounts remain very small. They should not be interpreted as nutritionally or pharmacologically significant sources of nicotine. 

Other Foods That May Contain Trace Nicotine

Other foods and beverages have also been reported to contain low levels of naturally occurring nicotine, including:


Potatoes: Some analyses report around 7.1 ng per gram, with higher levels sometimes reported in green or sprouting potatoes.


Bell peppers and chilis: Reported levels are generally low, often in the range of 7.7 to 9.2 ng per gram.


Cauliflower: Although cauliflower is not a nightshade vegetable, some sources report measurable trace levels, around 16.8 ng per gram.


Because these quantities are so small, the presence of nicotine in vegetables is mainly a point of scientific interest rather than a practical source of nicotine exposure.


In plants, nicotine can function as a natural defense compound. Its presence in some foods reflects plant chemistry rather than intentional nicotine content.

 

Nicotine in Food vs Nicotine Products

Trace nicotine in foods is very different from nicotine in tobacco or oral nicotine products. Food-based nicotine levels are measured in nanograms per gram, while nicotine pouches contain milligrams per pouch and are intended only for adults who already use nicotine.


This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be read as suggesting that vegetables or other foods can provide an equivalent experience to nicotine products. 

 

FAQ

  • Yes. Some vegetables contain trace amounts of naturally occurring nicotine. This is most often reported in nightshade vegetables such as eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. 
  • Eggplant is commonly cited as one of the vegetables with the highest measured nicotine content, at about 100 nanograms per gram. Even at that level, the amount is still very small.
  • Vegetables may contain trace amounts of nicotine, but they are not a meaningful source of nicotine exposure. The levels found in foods are extremely low and are not comparable to nicotine levels in tobacco or nicotine products. 
  • Nicotine is a naturally occurring plant alkaloid. In plants, it can act as a natural defense compound. Its presence in some foods reflects plant chemistry rather than added nicotine. 
  • No. Trace nicotine in foods is not the same as nicotine in tobacco or oral nicotine products. Nicotine products contain measured amounts of nicotine and are intended only for adults who already use nicotine. 

    • Important: 

The products sold on this site contain nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical that may increase heart rate and blood pressure and pose risks for individuals with certain medical conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease. These products are intended only for adult (21+) current nicotine users and are not for non-users. Sales to persons under 21 are prohibited.