T O X I C F O O D S W E E A T
TOXIC FOODS WE EAT
Cassava ( Yuca )
cassava is a woody shrub that is generally found in the Caribbean and South America. When using cassava, it can either be made to be sweet or bitter.
Most who prepare it like it to be bitter, as it keeps away insects and even animals. If cassava is prepared incorrectly, it can be deadly.
Cassava poisoning, due to high levels of cyanide, is known as Konzo. Cassava poisoning leads to irreversible paralysis
Cassava roots are ground into a flour Like substance which is then used to make tapioca.
Cashews
cashews grow inside of a shell - like structure that grows on a fruit.
When buying “raw cashews” in the store, take note that these nuts have actually been steamed and are not entirely raw.
This is because raw cashews contain urushiol, which is the same chemical that you’d find in poison ivy
Chilies
You’ve probably eaten a chili or two in your life.
Every chili you have ever consumed has contained a chemical called capsaicin. In chilies, capsaicin is what makes them spicy and “hot.”
The chemical is so strong that it is used as a paint stripper, and it is even used in pepper spray used by police forces. In hotter chilies, such as habaneros, capsaicin can be felt on the skin if you cut the chili, as it will produce a burning sensation.
Potatoes
The stem and leaves of the plant are toxic, and even the potato itself is toxic. If you’ve ever looked at a potato, you may have realized that some turn a greenish color.
This is due to levels of glycoalkaloid poison. In the past, there have been deaths due to potato poisoning.
Almonds
are actually seeds and are extremely popular in kitchens around the world. Much like cashews, almonds are extremely poisonous if not introduced to some sort of heat source.
It is generally the bitter almonds that need to be treated to get rid of the poison. The seeds are full of cyanide, and in many countries are illegal to sell.
Cherries
Cherries are definitely one of the most versatile fruits. You can eat them raw, cook them, bake them, and get them tart or sweet.
Cherries can even be used in certain types of liquor.
If a cherry pip is chewed, crushed, or somehow damaged, it automatically produces hydrogen cyanide. Symptoms of mild poisoning include headache, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, and vomiting.
Larger doses can lead to difficulty breathing, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and kidney failure.
Apples
Apples are definitely a popular fruit no matter where you go
The fruit itself does not contain the chemical, but you will find cyanide in the apple’s seeds.
Eating all of the seeds in one apple won’t kill you,it can result in complications.
Tomato
Though the fruit itself doesn’t contain poison, the stem as well as the leaves contain a chemical known as glycoalkaloid.
This chemical is known to cause upset stomachs and nervousness.
This chemical is so powerful that it is actually used as a way to control pests.
