Table of Contents 64q43
Just as not everything that glitters is gold, not everything that looks succulent in nature is actually suitable for eating. Currently, science knows an extensive list of poisonous foods and we already know that we should avoid them or consume them with caution. However, we continue to ingest some daily without perhaps imagining that they contain poisonous substances. 463m4k
How to avoid poisonous foods 5x235k
The fact is, the difference between a poison and something non-poisonous is, quite simply, the dose. As much as you eat some poisonous foods daily, they may not be in significant doses to cause poisoning. Still, it's good to keep an eye out so you don't exaggerate when eating.
The tip is to always consume in moderation and be aware of what you consume. If you are a fan of different cuisines and like to try everything that comes your way, try to know the ingredients before ingesting, know what amounts are acceptable and the origin of the product. To help, check out the list of poisonous foods that you should consume with caution.
French Fries 3o6a
Almost everyone loves potatoes (fried, baked, boiled, mashed, gratin, stuffed, etc.). However, what almost no one knows is that it has a large amount of glycoalkaloids, which are toxic, in its leaves. Even if no one eats the potato leaves, these substances can reach the vegetable.
The good news is that it's easy to find out when it's full of glycoalkaloids or not. You know when you go to buy the potato and you see some green ones in the middle? They are not green because they have not “ripened”, but because of the glycoalkaloids. Just be smart when buying and you can continue consuming this wonderful tuber with peace of mind.
Tomato 6j5b1l
Like the potato, this fruit (yes, the tomato is a fruit) very common in Brazilian salads has many glycoalkaloids in the stem and leaves. Although it is not usual to ingest these parts in food, they are often used as seasonings.
Brazil nuts 4n3b59
who is a fan of Dr. House already learned that lesson in episode 4×06. In this epic episode, the grumpy doctor on television is helping the mighty CIA with a confidential case and it is precisely this secrecy that prevents House from discovering the individual's problem in a few minutes.
Warning: this paragraph contains spoilers, skip to the next one if you haven't watched this episode. When the light goes on in House's head and he understands what is happening, he discovers that the patient was in Brazil (not Bolivia) and was suffering from poisoning from eating too many Brazil nuts. The episode even has a scene with Hugh Laurie trying to pronounce it in Portuguese.
The point is that Brazil nuts contain selenium and, in high doses, causes adverse reactions (selenosis). Selenium is an essential mineral for the human body, so you don't need to eliminate Brazil nuts from your diet. Occasional or small consumption does not cause any harm, the problem is frequent overconsumption.
Cashew nuts 355b23
If you're freaking out thinking that the Brazil nut rule works for cashew nuts, you can rest easy and continue eating this wonder without guilt. The problem with cashews is when they are raw or undercooked. In this case, it contains urushiol, a substance that can be lethal. If it's toasted, you can eat it normally.
Manioc 2e1k13
Very common in Brazil, cassava can be toxic. In fact, there are those who say that cassava and cassava are synonymous with manioc and there are those who say that cassava is poisonous, while the other two are not. Just like a cookie or cracker, the name is up to you. There is a type of cassava, known as manioc brava, which can only be consumed after being processed.
When poorly processed, the leaves and roots of wild cassava contain hydrogen cyanide, a toxic substance that will be talked about many times on this list. This substance can lead to death in a few hours, depending on the amount ingested.
Apple 1b3j2x
The apple is a very popular fruit. However, it can hide a poison: there is hydrogen cyanide in its seeds. But calm down, a few seeds won't kill you, you can rest assured and keep eating this fruit. You would need a large number of apples to really feel sick.
Almonds 3f1r1c
Bitter almonds, despite not being that common, cannot be consumed in excess. They contain a substance already known to anyone who is a fan of Agatha Christie's detective stories: cyanide (in the past called cyanide).
What may reassure you is the fact that bitter almonds are processed to remove the poison before they are released for consumption (so don't buy from untrustworthy places). It is worth mentioning that, even so, some countries have banned the sale of these almonds.
Nutmeg 5l283m
Nutmeg is a very common spice and has several health benefits. However, you need to pay attention to quantities. At 2 grams you already start to feel a little airy, as if you had consumed amphetamines; the ingestion of 10 grams can already make you hallucinate and a whole nutmeg can lead to death.
Mushrooms 40681z
Although they represent an extra life (the blue whiting) or other advantages in Super Mario, mushrooms in real life can have a major adverse effect. Of course, some can be consumed without problems, but there are those that are hallucinogenic and toxic.
To differentiate, you have to be careful and, if you don't know where it came from, it's good to avoid it. It is a common habit to go looking for mushrooms in some countries. However, as identification is difficult, if you are a layman or an inexperienced learner, the ideal is to continue shopping at the supermarket.
Cherry 2b371o
The “icing on the cake” of this text is, precisely, the icing. Cherry seeds contain our well-known hydrogen cyanide, so be careful when consuming the berry. The good part of the story is that the cherries we consume in most of the cakes are not real cherries, they are balls of chayote in the currant (frustrating, but safer).
Now, just be smart when eating and not to go around ingesting everything they put in front of you, being careful with poisonous foods. It's worth asking first and doing that quick research to make sure it's safe, as the side effects on this list go beyond a simple tummy ache.
Sources: Matador; Super interesting.
