Shocking Common Foods That Pose Toxicity Risks

There are many factors to consider when buying food: price, taste, and health concerns. When it comes to health, things can be more serious than a consumer realizes. In fact, some foods can be surprisingly toxic and these are foods that some people eat or buy every day.

All Sorts Of Food Could Be Dangerous If Eaten Improperly

Some common foods have acids which, if eaten in excess, could be toxic. However, many of these foods can often be eaten safely in moderation and with care.

Cherries: The hard stone inside of a cherry is filled with prussic acid, or cyanide, which can be poisonous. Pits swallowed whole will just go through the digestive system if left intact. However, it’s advised not to crunch on cherry pits.

Apples: Similar to cherries, apple seeds contain cyanide. As with pits, seeds have a protective coating, so accidentally swallowing one isn’t cause for alarm. However, small doses could still cause breathing issues, and seizures, and even be deadly.

Cucumbers: Cucumbers could easily be exposed to bacteria from animal waste in their soil or water. This could even impact pre-sliced cucumbers. It’s always best to purchase cucumbers that have no visible damage. Washing and peeling can also help.

Mushrooms: The darling of pizza and risotto is wild mushrooms can still be risky. Two particular types are known for being dangerous” the death cap and the destroying angel. These wild mushrooms can cause abdominal pain, dehydration, liver problems, and, in more serious cases, a coma or death.

Raw Dairy: Raw milk and cheese can easily be exposed to bacteria. Pasteurization usually helps treat bacteria in milk and dairy products, making raw milk all the riskier. That said, even pasteurized products can still contain bacteria.

Some Foods Can Be Risky If People Have Certain Allergies Or Health Concerns

Raw cashews: Cashews are often steamed before being sold to remove toxins, like urushiol, in their shells. While treated cashews are still sometimes advertised as raw, genuinely raw cashews can cause dangerous allergic reactions.

Mangoes: Mangoes, like cashews, can contain urushiol, the toxin found in poison ivy. People should be cautious around mangoes since allergies can easily become a concern.

Star Fruit: If people have kidney disease, star fruit can be harmful, since their kidneys might not be able to filter out toxins in the fruit. Toxins found in this fruit could cause seizures and even death.

Eggs: Eggs can be easily impacted by salmonella, which can impact the eggs on the inside. Care should be given to making sure eggs aren’t broken before being cooked or consumed. Eggs should be firmly cooked before being eaten. Recipes that call for raw eggs should use pasteurized or liquid egg products.

In general, food items should be properly prepared to avoid health concerns. It’s also important that people understand their own health and needs when choosing their own diets.