Surprising foods that contain the same chemical as cigarettes - and what it really means

Bring up nicotine - cigarettes and cigars are likely the first things that come to mind. It's the potent ingredient that makes smoking so addictive, while also inducing a sense of relaxation.

Yet, it might surprise you to learn this chemical is also present in many popular foods, albeit with a slightly different effect. Markus Lindblad from Northerner, explained: "Nicotine found in nightshade plants and other foods is [often] 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."

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According to PMI Science, people consume around 1,400 ng of nicotine daily through regular food. Astonishingly, this includes traditional mashed potatoes or Sunday roasties, which contain around ~675 ng of nicotine.

Common vegetables like aubergines and green peppers are also included in this list, along with tomatoes, which reportedly contain an average of ~332 ng each. To put this into perspective, an average cigarette may contain~12 mg of nicotine - 18,000 times more than a potato, reports the Express.

Consequently, experts don't believe you can become addicted to food in the same way. Lindblad continued: "Whilst nicotine is naturally present in fruit, vegetables and other foods that 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."

Experts at PMI Science also add: "Commercially available products, including cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), smoke-free products, and others, contain levels of nicotine high enough to temporarily affect brain function in a reversible way."

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