You will agree with me that when it comes to food, one can think of so much to say about it. So many things like it keeps us nourished, it brings us together most of the time, keeps us from visiting the hospital every now and then you know. In short, food is a basic need but did you know that certain foods can actually kill you?
Bitter ones can actually be packed with cyanide while raw and have to undergo heat treatment in order to eliminate this toxin that is very hazardous to one’s health.
This may come as a shocker, but it is very true and this particular post highlights fifteen foods that can actually kill you.
1. Apples
Even apples?
Well yes. Apple seeds contain cyanide, a toxic substance.
Pesticides sprayed onto the apples also have a tendency of clinging to their skin and during the picking, they will often be waxed into the apple which is harmful.
It is therefore advisable to wash the apple thoroughly before eating and also, avoid the core.
2. Almonds
Bitter ones can actually be packed with cyanide while raw and have to undergo heat treatment in order to eliminate this toxin that is very hazardous to one’s health.
3. Honey
To think honey has so many uses and benefits.
When unpasteurized, honey could be very harmful. It could contain pyrrolizizine alkaloids that could cause cancer and sometimes liver cirrhosis , two very deadly conditions.
4. Kidney beans
Another shocker. Who knew right?
Kidney beans are so delicious and have a lot of nutritional value but it turns out they actually contain lectin or phytohemagglutinin, which explains why eating even a small quantity of undercooked beans, could cause stomach upsets leading to nausea, diarrhea and even vomiting.
It is therefore very important to soak your beans to get rid of the poison and have them well cooked.
5. Tomatoes
I mean who could have guessed right? We use tomatoes pretty much everyday when preparing meals from simple ones to the most complex or classiest ones. So what could be so dangerous about such a common and seemingly harmless fruit such as a tomato?
Well, it is actually all in the leaves and the stem. Tomato leaves contain glycoalkaloid, a poison known to cause severe cramps, upset stomachs and even worse, anxiety which could actually be fatal.
6. Potatoes
This is certainly not good news for fans of fries and crisps but no worries.
The harm in potatoes is in the stem and leaves so steer clear of them because though rare, there have been cases of death from poison in these. The poison is called solanine.
7. Nutmeg
This is one popular spice with a good number of health benefits, which adds an amazing and sweet taste to food, in addition to the fact that it also makes the food smell so good.
That may be so, but it is also a hallucinogenic when taken raw. It could actually cause nausea, vomiting and even worse, it could bring about an elevated heart rate.Store bought nutmeg is however never raw.
8. Mushrooms
If you are a fan of eating anything with mushrooms, then better be cautious. Certain species of mushrooms actually contain poison. Interesting that mushrooms could actually have a number of health benefits but you should steer away from wild ones. Stick to the ones sold at grocery stores.
“Amanita Virosa” for example, is one wild type of mushroom known to kill and is actually referred to as “the death angel”
Such could cause , nausea, diarrhea and damage to your kidneys.
9. Celery
It may be a good source of antioxidants but it turns out that during growth, the celery plant will often draw in a lot of pesticides from the immense amount of water it takes from the ground.
As such, one can find close to or more than 64 different types of chemicals in them.
10. Raw meat
Raw meat contains bacteria which can cause gastroenteritis and bacteremia, which in people with a weaker immune system can actually cause death.
The bacteria is called salmonella and can be found in not only red meat, but also poultry and seafood.
11. Pufferfish
This delicacy, very popular especially in Japan, can actually cause paralysis or even kill you if not properly prepared.
Its internal organs are very toxic and people interested in indulging in the delicacy are advised to be very cautious.
12. Peanuts
This might not come as such a shock because it is very common to come across people who are allergic to them.
An allergy to peanuts can be so dangerous that it could actually cause death if left unattended or untreated as it can lead to a blocked airway, make you lose consciousness and even send you into shock.
13. Blueberries
They may fall under the list of the world’s best sources of antioxidants but blueberries are among the plants that soak up a lot of pesticides during their growth, just like celery.
They could contain up to 52 different kinds of pesticides which is by no means a good thing for the consumer.
14. Hotdogs
Although a delicacy for many, it has been reported that hot dogs are actually among the leading causes of choking among young children, which is very dangerous and could cause death.
15. Fast Foods
Though we have mentioned hotdogs which are actually part of fast foods, we mentioned them with the hazard being mostly among children, choking.
Now, it is worth mentioning that fast foods are a leading cause of death among people in this different context.
They contain high levels of fat and calories and since they are very tasty, have a tendency of causing addiction.
They cause obesity, high cholesterol among other lifestyle diseases that could be fatal.
These are examples of very common foods that can unfortunately cause death. It is the lack of awareness that leads to the fatalities but the good news is, if one is very careful with them this will not be the result.
So, caution is advised when dealing with these types of foods in order to avoid their harmful side.