13 Foods You Didn’t Know Are Dangerous
Food is essential to everyday life, ensuring you receive the nutrients required to improve your health. However, there are instances when what you consume, such as a tuna sandwich, can have potentially life-threatening effects that require immediate medical attention to prevent risks. Read on to discover 13 foods you didn’t know are dangerous.
Honey
While honey is generally safe to consume and is packed with essential nutritional benefits, it can be a dangerous toxin when consumed by infants. Research suggests that it can cause a rare and severe gastrointestinal infection known as infant botulism. On the other hand, if you are allergic to bee pollen, you might have an adverse and sometimes fatal reaction when you consume honey.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are consumed to reap their nutritional benefits and treat specific ailments such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease. However, if you’re sensitive to these edible fungi, you might be vulnerable to side effects that can lead to food poisoning. In some cases, you might experience stomach problems such as diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting, or, in worst-case scenarios, hallucinations.
Red Kidney Beans
According to research, dried red kidney beans contain high levels of lectins. Most plants contain this protein, which plays a significant role in binding carbohydrates and stimulates the production of the hormone cholecystokinin, which performs a fundamental role in the digestive process. When lectins enter your gut without proper digestion, they can lead to:
- Bacterial overgrowth that alters your healthy gut bacteria.
- Impaired nutrient absorption when consumed raw.
- They might trigger autoimmune disease and inflammation.
Potatoes
Potatoes are known for their versatility and high levels of nutrients that benefit your health in various ways. For instance, minerals and vitamins found in potatoes, such as calcium, folate, and choline, are essential to building and maintaining bone and heart health. However, this vegetable belongs to a poisonous plant family, and its leaves and shoots should not be eaten.
Tomatoes
Did you know that consuming too many tomatoes makes you vulnerable to food poisoning? Common symptoms of tomato leaf poisoning include throat irritation, dizziness, and acid reflux. Other severe complications include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Kidney related issues.
- Joint pain.
- Skin rashes and allergic reactions.
Peanuts
According to research, peanuts can contain several naturally occurring and poisonous byproducts known as aflatoxins. These toxic carcinogens can lead to hepatitis B and liver cancer even when they are consumed in moderate concentrations. Most importantly, peanut allergies are common and can result in life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis.
Shellfish
If you have never had shellfish like oysters, you might be saving yourself from potentially significant health risks. For instance, you could be exposed to a fatal infection-causing bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, caused by eating raw or undercooked shellfish. Symptoms can come suddenly, and in less than 24 hours, you might experience:
- Chills or a fever.
- Discoloured and large fluid-filled blisters on your skin.
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Signs of low blood pressure, such as dizziness and weakness.
- Fast heart rate.
Cherries
You should be careful when eating cherries. Swallowing the pits can expose you to harmful levels of hydrogen cyanide, a chemical compound that interferes with how your body uses oxygen. This can result in an imbalance in chemical processes in your brain that might be fatal or impact your heart and lung health.
Raw Meat and Uncooked Eggs
Proper handling and cooking of meat and eggs is important to prevent health risks and severe illness. They are associated with common outbreaks of foodborne disease and carry harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella. Thoroughly cooking meat and eggs can help eliminate health risks such as diarrhoea, severe stomach cramps, and kidney failure, which can be fatal if you have a weakened immune system.
Tuna
According to research, tuna contains the highest levels of mercury when compared to other popular seafood. The dangers of mercury exposure are a significant health concern since high levels can lead to severe brain cell damage. Other adverse health side effects include:
- Impaired fine motor skills, focus and memory loss.
- Anxiety and depression.
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a common household spice packed with flavour and a sweet taste that can be included in baked goods, savoury dishes, and sauces. However, if your body can’t break down myristicin, a chemical compound in this spice, it can impact the central and sympathetic nervous systems. The effects of nutmeg can cause confusion, dizziness, grogginess, and severe dry mouth if consumed in high doses.
Raw Milk (Unpasteurised)
Most people know that milk is nutritious and contains fatty acids, minerals, proteins, and vitamins that benefit the immune system. Research suggests that pasteurisation is a process that kills bacteria, moulds, and yeast, which contain harmful properties that increase shelf life. Several claims highlight the benefits of raw milk, but the dangers can lead to foodborne illnesses such as a life-threatening Salmonella infection.
Microwave Popcorn
Popcorn is a staple snack in most households, yet studies suggest that there might be health risks associated with microwavable popcorn. The packaging contains some chemicals that have been associated with cancer. In other cases, research has shown that overconsumption of microwave popcorn has been linked with popcorn lung or a rare condition that can lead to damage of the lungs and increase the risk of lung cancer.
Food preparation and following safety measures are crucial to improving your safety, ensuring you still savour the taste, and get the most out of its nutritional value. However, no matter how careful you are, you might be vulnerable to food poisoning. The good news is that Affinity Health provides essential healthcare coverage for you and your family to ensure your health remains a priority when faced with severe illness.
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