Some healthy foods can cause tangible harm if consumed incorrectly. The First Doc. tells you about discoveries scientists have made that will surprise you.
1. Apples
An old English proverb says that people who eat one apple a day don’t need a doctor. And there are many reasons for that. Apples are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Fiber can help get rid of visceral fat. A study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that every 10 grams of fiber consumed per day reduced visceral fat by 3.7% over 5 years. Therefore, apples can certainly be called a very healthy fruit.
What’s Dangerous? It is not the apples themselves that can become a health hazard, but the seeds they contain. They contain cyanide. If eaten in large quantities, they can cause vomiting and digestive disorders.
To avoid this, never eat a lot of seeds, and if you’re used to eating apples whole, don’t chew the seeds. The seed shells are very strong and will not allow cyanide to get you into trouble.
2. Tart cherry
A ripe cherry is not only a great filling for dumplings or a component for a delicious juice or compote. They can also be called nature’s medicine. In a 12-week study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, it was found that rodents fed cherries, rich in antioxidants, had a 9 percent reduction in belly fat. Thus, cherries can be called a weight loss supplement.
And cherry juice helps a person have sound dreams and is considered a great prescription for insomnia and other sleep disorders.
What’s dangerous? Cherry pips, or to be more precise, the kernels hidden under the shell, can be harmful to your health. As with apple seeds, they contain hydrogen cyanide. One cup of cherry kernels can even be fatal.
3. Rhubarb
This crop is grown in every corner of the planet. It is unpretentious, but very healthy. The juicy green-pink stems contain B vitamins, calcium, manganese, potassium, vitamins C and K.
Many people adore rhubarb for its sour-sweet taste and use its stems to make pie fillings, flavorful jams, sorbets and sauces for meat. However, few people know that in some cases rhubarb can be harmful.
What’s dangerous? Rhubarb leaves contain a lot of oxalic acid, which can cause kidney stones. If you eat 5 kg of rhubarb leaves, it can be fatal, but smaller amounts can cause a serious deterioration of health.
4. Nutmeg
If you adore chocolate baked goods and pastries, you’re probably familiar with the flavor of nutmeg. Nutmeg is often added to chocolate puddings, airy rolls, various creams and impregnations, and candy fillings to whet your appetite.
In ancient times, the exotic nut was used as a medicine for brain health and increased intelligence, treatment of sexual disorders and increased appetite. Today it is used primarily as a popular spice.
What’s dangerous? Nutmeg is a hallucinogen. And consuming 5.6 grams of it in its natural form can lead to seizures and other health problems. At the same time, even one whole nut can lead to the so-called “nutmeg psychosis”, which manifests itself in the strongest sense of impending doom.
5. Potatoes
Seeing potatoes on a list of dangerous foods is strange, to say the least. Yes, fried potatoes can cause health problems if you overdo it. But the potato itself is a healthy root vegetable. It contains potassium, which is essential for the health of the nervous and cardiovascular systems and vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system. It’s also high in fiber and starch.
One study that analyzed 38 different foods presented the findings that boiled potatoes are by far the most hearty food.
What’s Dangerous? The glycoalkaloids present in potatoes are dangerous to human health. These substances are found in the leaves, stems, and sprouts of the plant. But they can also be in the fruit, then they acquire a characteristic greenness. Consumption of glycoalkaloids can lead to seizures, diarrhea, headaches, or even coma and death.
6. Almond
All varieties of nuts are very healthy. They contain healthy fats – Omega-3-6-9 fatty acids that support brain and cardiovascular resources. At the same time, nuts, despite their high caloric content, are an excellent snack.
A study published in The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition presented findings that almonds are rich in an amino acid called L-arginine. And therefore may help burn more fat during a workout. Almonds should be snacked on before exercising.
What’s dangerous? Specialists distinguish between two varieties of almonds: sweet and bitter. Bitter ones contain a lot of cyanide. It is believed that eating 7-10 bitter almonds a day can cause serious health problems in adults and can be fatal in children.
7. Honey
Natural honey has a lot of medicinal properties. Not for nothing is it called a cure for a hundred diseases. Studies show that honey can soothe coughs and colds, support human reproductive health, improve skin health and even prevent several types of cancer.
But to be fair, honey is not a substitute for medicine, but it is an effective aid for many conditions.
What’s dangerous? Unpasteurized honey can contain grayanotoxin, a harmful substance that escapes during heat treatment. Symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting, weakness, and increased sweating may occur if it is consumed.
8. Tomatoes
Ripe tomatoes are valuable sources of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radical attacks. The latter are known to contribute to chronic diseases and bring aging closer. Besides, tomatoes contain vitamins C, E and B4, minerals – potassium, calcium and phosphorus. They are also abundant in fiber, essential for healthy digestion.
What’s dangerous? Tomato stems and leaves contain glycoalkaloids, naturally occurring poisons. Therefore, they should not be included in the diet. They are also present in green tomatoes, so you should weigh the risks before cooking them.
9. Tuna
Tuna is a popular variety of fish. It is high in protein, but low in fat and calories. It is a dietary product that is ideal for people looking to lose weight.
The Omega-3 acids in tuna are good for the brain and heart and maintaining a healthy weight.
What’s dangerous? The danger of tuna is mercury, which can contaminate fish. For pregnant and nursing women, the FDA recommends that tuna should not be consumed at all. When ingested, the toxin is toxic and can cause brain and kidney damage.
10. Elderberry
Elderberries contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Various studies show that they are beneficial for the health of the heart and blood vessels, the digestive and endocrine systems. But this is exactly the case when observing a sense of proportion is very important.
It is recommended to consume no more than 200 grams of berries per day.
What’s dangerous? The leaves, twigs, and seeds of the plant contain a glycoside that converts to cyanide. If poisoned with it, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even coma can occur. Therefore, those who like elderberry jam should be sure to grind the berries through a sieve before cooking. And after making wine, strain the drink. And you should never eat unripe elderberries, they are more dangerous than ripe berries.
Be careful with your choice of foods, consume them correctly, and your health will be good.
Used Sources
- Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance / Fact Sheet for Health Professionals // National Institutes of Health – 2022
- A satiety index of common foods / S H Holt 1, J C Miller, P Petocz, et al // Eur J Clin Nutr. – 1995
- Regular tart cherry intake alters abdominal adiposity, adipose gene transcription, and inflammation in obesity-prone rats fed a high fat diet / Seymour E. M., Lewis S. K., Urcuyo-Llanes D. E., et al // J Med Food. – 2009
The articles on this site are for information purposes only. The site administrators are not responsible for attempting to apply any recipe, advice or diet, nor do they guarantee that the information provided will help or harm you personally. Be cautious and always consult a doctor or nutritionist!
*All products recommended are selected by our editorial team. Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, you help us earn a small commission from the seller and thus support the writing of useful and quality articles.
