Chris Hogg wrote:

On Mon, 23 Dec 2019 09:20:20 +0000, Spike
wrote:
One gets the impression that the medical mind runs on rails - probably
something to do with being sued should things go awry. If it isn't part
of the official diagnosis/treatment algorithm, it won't get mentioned.
It's left to self-help groups and the like to spread the word. Arthritis
is another similar area - anecdata suggests not consuming tomatoes and
potatoes can ameliorate the discomfort, but you'll never hear that in a
doctor's surgery.

They're both members of the Solanaceae family. Also includes peppers.
All Solanaceae are said to promote inflammation - hence the reason to
avoid them if you've got an inflammatory condition such as arthritis.
But it seems difficult to get definitive information about it, I guess
because trials to prove the point would be expensive to run, with no
obvious benefit to the drug industry who would normally fund such
trials. http://tinyurl.com/rmzqm2y

Anyone with the cash to hire competent people and administer the trial
can run one. As you say, there is no reason a drug company should
spend its shareholders' money on such things, and a university
department would need some reason to suppose there was a benefit.
Contrary anecdata is that chilli pepper (especially Scotch Bonnet) is
very good for stomach problems, respiratory viruses and illness in
general and this is also a solanaceous plant. So I don't believe a word
of it. There is no obvious reason why doctors should tell patients any
old wives' tale that they may have come across, prove it if you want us
to believe it.



--

Roger Hayter