10 Things that you are eating that are actually killing you
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Who doesn’t love to relish a delicious dish or eat something new and exotic? The kind of happiness one gets from food makes for some amazing memories, and let’s be honest, some great Instagram pictures! Uniting people since countless ages, food is something that we never forget to have! But what happens when some foods actually cross over onto the dark side and become unhealthy food?
There are some unhealthy food that have certain parts which can literally kill you! And some foods when eaten in moderation are fine but if consumed way too much on a regular basis, they could be a detriment to your health and leave you in a bad condition. But don’t fret; you don’t need to stop those taste buds from smacking on delicious food as long as you know what you are eating and how much you can eat. And also, it’s okay if you keep snacking in while reading this list!
#10: Nutmeg: A Tablespoon A Day Can Keep Hallucinations At Bay
The humble nutmeg might appear harmless, except that this spice is very deadly if consumed in large quantities. In fact, according to reports, nutmeg is on the unhealthy food list because two tablespoons can lead to hallucinations, vomiting and even death in some instances!
Right from the 12th century, this people have used this spice to get a natural high by smoking, snorting and consuming large amounts of it. However, the high is followed by delirium, sweating, confusion, hallucinating and a sense of disaster.[1]delish – Can Two Teaspoons Of Nutmeg Really Kill You? There has been one death reported due to nutmeg and in other cases the hallucinations have even lasted up to six months. Consuming 5 to 15 grams is way too dangerous. So it’s better to stick to that one tablespoon in your coffee or dessert!
#9: Pass Up On That Cinnamon Challenge!
The Cinnamon Challenge caught on pretty fast with plenty of people stuffing dry cinnamon into their mouth and then wheezing it out. No one can deny that this spice has a delightful taste and cinnamon pastries are to die for! It is especially popular in Halloween candy. So, how did cinnamon land up on the unhealthy food list? This is because cinnamon when consumed in large quantities can actually lead to liver damage.
In fact, the amount of cinnamon in Danish pastries is now being regulated.[2]Huffington Post – Can Too Much Cinnamon Be Dangerous ? Cassia is the most common form of cinnamon consumed. It contains coumarin which can cause liver damage if eaten too much. The recommended dose is 1mg of coumarin per 1 kg of body weight. Also, if one inhales the cinnamon, it can lead to lung damage. Therefore, it is best you keep your nose at bay when consuming cinnamon. In the right quantities, cinnamon is still a delightful treat for any food lover. Phew!
#8: A Bittersweet Symphony: Almonds
Munching away on sweet almonds as healthy snacks not only helps us pass time but also has several health benefits as well, like control of blood sugar and reduced inflammation. It also helps in keeping weight under control. However, if you decide to go wild and munch away on the bitter, wild almonds, you are in danger.
According to studies, bitter almonds have almost 50 times the amount of cyanide than sweet almonds have and are dangerous if consumed both in small and large quantities. Cyanide, in large doses, can cause rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, convulsions and in extreme cases death![3]Livestrong – Can You Get Cyanide Poisoning from Eating Almonds? It is best to stick to the sweet variety found in grocery stores that have very little cyanide.
#7: Eggs Can Serve You A Raw Deal
That fluffy white omelet and those creamy scrambled eggs can make any sleepy child wake up in no time! However, one must exercise caution when dealing with its raw form. Raw eggs are also very nutritious and delicious but some of them may contain bacteria called salmonella. This can cause food poisoning, diarrhea and fever. People with a weak immune system may even contract other illnesses.
To stay safe, buy pasteurized eggs and related products.[4]CDC – Salmonella and Eggs Make sure you refrigerate the eggs and stay away from broken eggs. You should also wash your hands before and after touching raw eggs as well as any surface and utensil that came in contact with it. And race to the doctor if you feel sick after eating a raw egg.
#6: Not So Magical Mushrooms
Mushrooms no doubt make for the creamiest and most delicious pastas. However, there are certain kinds of wild mushrooms that are called unhealthy food as they can have a negative impact on your health. According to studies, consuming store-bought mushrooms is advisable as these are safe and delicious as well.
If you do however come across a contaminated store-bought mushroom, it is because it contains campylobacter jejuni. This bacterium can cause dryness, diarrhea, nausea and cramping in some individuals.[5]Livestrong – Negative Health Effects of Mushrooms Make sure you buy pasteurized mushrooms and cook and clean them properly.
Wild mushrooms, on the other hand, are a complete no no as they are dangerous for your health and can even lead to a fatal end.
Furthermore, although magic mushrooms can give you a high, they are also highly dangerous as they lead to muscle weakness, hallucinations, delusional behavior and disassociation. Stick to the creamy delicious edible mushrooms and enjoy that good pasta to the fullest!
#5: Leaf It Out: Rhubarb
Eating a delicious rhubarb pie creates such exotic sweet memories. However, the reason rhubarb is considered on the list of the most unhealthy foods is because their leaves are highly poisonous. This is because they contain oxalic acid and can cause difficulty in breathing, vomiting, convulsions, abdominal pain and heart attacks.[6]The Rhubarb Compendium – Poison Information
Though the stalks also have this acid present in it, it is in a very small quantity as compared to the amount in the rhubarb leaves. So, it is better never to ingest raw or cooked rhubarb leaves. And be a good grownup and wash the stalks before eating it and try not to purchase any stalks that have been on frost-bitten plants. Who knew something so sweet could be so deadly?
#4: Green Is Not In When It Comes To Potatoes!
Don’t freak out seeing potato on the unhealthy food list! You can still munch on those French fries and potato wedges as much as you like. Potatoes are only dangerous when you allow it to rot to the extent that a green substance starts forming on it. This green substance contains Solanine which can lead to poisoning. If you experience cramps, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and burning of the throat, you need to go to a doctor immediately.[7]The Conversation – Can you really be poisoned by green or sprouting potatoes?
In fact, once potatoes turn green, they are also considered less nutritious and become extremely bitter in taste. So, before you fry those potatoes, check if there are any green spots or sprouts on them and peel and cut it off. Else, throw away the whole potato and go for fresh produce instead. You will definitely have crispier French fries to delve into then!
#3: Cook Up Those Lima Beans!
Lima beans are definitely on a lot of people’s most disliked food list. However these velvety beans have also made their way on to the list of the most unhealthy foods. No, your parents are not trying to kill you by feeding you lima beans. Cooked lima beans eliminate the chemicals and poisonous substances that are present in these beans and are thus are considered safe to eat.
But if you become adventurous and decide to eat lima beans raw, they could be detrimental to your health as they contain linamarin, which causes poisoning. These innocent-looking beans also contain other harmful substances like tannin etc, which are also not good for the body. It is best to soak and clean the lima beans and then cook up a storm to have a healthy and not so deadly dinner.
#2: Throw That Apple Seed And Cherry Pit Away!
Munching on an apple or devouring a cherry is harmless. But chew on an apple seed and a cherry pit and you could be in for some serious trouble with these unhealthy food. Apple seeds are known to contain cyanogenic acids whereas cherry pits contain cyanogenic glycosides.[8]Science Notes – Yes, Apple Seeds and Cherry Pits Contain Cyanide
Both of these cyanide compounds are harmful, especially when eaten in large quantities. Chewing the seeds and pits makes it even worse as you release the chemical in your body. Symptoms can include anxiety, dizziness, vomiting, respiratory failure and in some cases death. Better to just stick to munching on these delicious fruits and spit out those seeds and pits! Make a game of it too!
#1: That Juicy Red Tomato Could Kill You!
Well, it is not the tomato as such that could harm you but the leaves and seeds. The green leaf that seems to decorate the tomato is actually highly dangerous as it contains glycoalkaloid.[9]WebMD – Tomato Eaten in large amounts, this could trigger poisoning and possibly death! Symptoms include throat irritation, spasms, dizziness, headaches and in some instances, convulsions.
In fact, in the olden days tomatoes people did not actually use tomatoes in salads as they thought they were deadly! People had competitions to see if you were indeed going to be brave enough to eat an entire tomato or two. Well that may be an extreme reaction! It is best to cut out the leaves and the tomato is changed from an unhealthy food to being the harmless food that it is known to be. So, no need to go crazy and join the Tomatino festival to throw those tomatoes away. You can throw the leaves and seeds there if you want!
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