5 Poisonous Foods That Can Kill You | Healthy Hamesha

Summary

In this video, Dr. Saleem, an expert in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, highlights five common foods that can be toxic if consumed incorrectly. He warns against eating green potatoes due to solanine, nutmeg which can cause hallucinations in high doses, bitter almonds containing cyanide, undercooked kidney beans with lectins, and brown rice which may contain harmful levels of arsenic. Dr. Saleem offers practical tips on how to safely consume these foods and emphasizes the importance of food safety to avoid serious health risks, guiding viewers towards a healthier lifestyle.

Takeaways

• 😀 Green potatoes (those with a greenish tint) contain solanine, a neurotoxin that can cause nausea, paralysis, internal bleeding, and even death if consumed in large quantities.
• 😀 Nutmeg (jaiphal) contains a compound called myristicin, which can lead to hallucinations, dizziness, confusion, and even death when consumed in excessive doses.
• 😀 Excessive intake of nutmeg (about 50 grams) can cause severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and mental confusion. It's recommended to consume it only in small amounts.
• 😀 Bitter almonds (which are different from sweet almonds) contain cyanide, a deadly toxin that can cause serious poisoning. Eating 6-10 bitter almonds can result in poisoning, while larger amounts can lead to death.
• 😀 Raw kidney beans (rajma) contain a toxic substance called lectin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and severe poisoning. Always cook kidney beans thoroughly to neutralize the toxins.
• 😀 If kidney beans are not fully cooked, even a small amount can cause serious health issues. It's recommended to soak kidney beans for 1-2 hours before cooking to minimize the risk of toxicity.
• 😀 Brown rice, while considered healthy, can contain higher levels of arsenic compared to white rice. Long-term consumption of arsenic-laden foods can lead to serious health issues, including cancer.
• 😀 To reduce arsenic exposure from brown rice, rinse the rice thoroughly with water several times before cooking and soak it for at least 1 hour before cooking.
• 😀 Always choose high-quality, sweet almonds and avoid bitter almonds, as they contain toxic cyanide compounds that can be harmful or even fatal.
• 😀 The key to safe consumption of brown rice is ensuring proper washing and soaking techniques to reduce arsenic levels, making it safe to eat without health concerns.

Q & A

What makes green potatoes toxic?

Green potatoes contain solanine, a neurotoxin that can cause severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, paralysis, and in extreme cases, coma or death when consumed in large quantities.

Can you eat potatoes that have only a small green spot?

If only a part of the potato is green, the green section should be cut and discarded. The rest of the potato is safe to eat.

What should you do if you find a green potato while cooking?

If you find a green potato, you should discard it completely, as the solanine can spread through the potato. Even animals should not be allowed to eat green potatoes.

How does nutmeg become toxic?

Nutmeg contains a compound called myristicin that can lead to toxic reactions in the body, such as hallucinations, dizziness, and nausea. In large doses, it can even cause death.

What are the symptoms of nutmeg toxicity?

Symptoms of nutmeg toxicity include confusion, dizziness, nausea, hallucinations, and in extreme cases, unconsciousness or death.

How much nutmeg is considered safe to use?

Nutmeg is safe when used in small quantities, typically as a spice. However, excessive amounts, such as those found in large doses of supplements, should be avoided.

Why are bitter almonds toxic?

Bitter almonds contain hydrogen cyanide, a deadly poison. Even a small number of bitter almonds can cause severe poisoning, including nausea, dizziness, and potentially fatal consequences.

How many bitter almonds can cause toxicity?

As few as 6-10 bitter almonds can cause toxic symptoms, and consuming larger amounts can lead to fatal poisoning.

What makes kidney beans toxic if undercooked?

Undercooked kidney beans contain lectin, a toxic substance that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. In extreme cases, it can be life-threatening.

What is the proper way to cook kidney beans to avoid toxicity?

To safely consume kidney beans, they should be soaked for 1-2 hours and then thoroughly cooked at high heat to destroy the lectins.

Why is brown rice considered more toxic than white rice?

Brown rice tends to contain higher levels of arsenic because it retains the outer bran layer, which accumulates arsenic from pesticides and fertilizers used in rice farming.

How can you reduce the arsenic content in brown rice?

To reduce arsenic content, rinse rice thoroughly with clean water multiple times before cooking. Soaking the rice for about an hour before cooking also helps to reduce arsenic levels.