avatarKiran Yasmin

Summary

The article warns about common foods that can be harmful or even fatal if not consumed with caution, including mushrooms, cherry stones, and cashew nuts.

Abstract

The article "Beware — These Delicious Foods Can Kill Us" highlights the potential dangers lurking in everyday foods. It emphasizes that certain mushrooms, if not properly identified, can be poisonous, with some varieties like the "destroying angel" and "death cap" known to cause severe illness or death. Cherry stones are also identified as hazardous due to their content of hydrogen cyanide, with even a small amount posing a significant risk. Additionally, the article clarifies that cashew nuts, often mistaken for true nuts, have shells containing anacardic acid, which can be harmful, and raw cashews contain a chemical found in poison ivy, which can be lethal. The article advises consumers to be vigilant about these risks, whether in their kitchen or when purchasing food from restaurants or stores.

Opinions

  • The article conveys a strong caution against the indiscriminate consumption of mushrooms, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and caution when including them in one's diet.
  • It suggests that even food experts may struggle to distinguish between safe and harmful mushrooms, underscoring the seriousness of mushroom poisoning.
  • The article expresses concern over the presence of hydrogen cyanide in cherry stones, implying that the public may be unaware of this danger in a common fruit.
  • It advises against eating cashew nuts raw, highlighting the potential health risks associated with the urushiol chemical found in them.
  • The article implies that consumers should not only scrutinize the contents of their kitchens but also be mindful of the food they purchase elsewhere, suggesting a broader issue of food safety awareness.
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Beware — These Delicious Foods Can Kill Us

You probably think that food cannot harm your body, but the truth is a large number of foods you eat every day can be deadly. Let’s check out how…

Photo by Muhammad Muzamil on Unsplash

Believe it or not but there are plenty of harmful or dangerous things in your kitchen! Some foods that taste nice can post threats to your health if you don’t eat them carefully.

It’s time to do a sweep of the refrigerator and get those unsafe things out.

From the contents of your kitchen to those delicacies that you buy from a store, anything can be dangerous and may kill you. This means you don’t only need to look into your fridge but also have to check what you buy from a nearby restaurant or store.

The following foods are always dangerous whether they are present in your kitchen or are bought from a restaurant.

Mushrooms

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Mushrooms are used in excess in our burgers, pizzas and other food items. Some of them are healthy, but not all mushrooms are good to go with. With names like the “destroying angel” and the “death cap,” mushrooms need to be eaten carefully and wisely.

The general rule is that if you are unsure of their advantages or disadvantages, you are better to avoid them and don’t put yourself into risk.

It is hard to distinguish between healthy mushrooms and unhealthy or deadly mushrooms, and even food experts may not be able to tell the difference. In the United States, 10 out of 20 people are poisoned after eating death cap mushrooms. Some individuals even go through liver transplants due to these unhealthy food items.

Cherry Stones

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Just like mushrooms, cherry stones can be deadly or may cause a lot of complications. From apricots to plums or peach pits, cherry stones contain a poison called hydrogen cyanide. It is too dangerous that even 0.1 grams can kill a person.

A cherry pit is said to have nearly 0.16 grams of cyanide, so digesting it could be problematic and may destroy your entire digestive system. It should be noticed that the amount of cyanide varies from one cherry stone to another, so it is better to avoid them all and ensure your health and wellbeing.

Cashew Nuts

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Let me first tell you that these are seeds and should not be confused with nuts. The shells of cashew nuts are believed to be deadly or dangerous to human health.

They contain a coating of anacardic acid that can burn your skin and may upset the stomach. We suggest you cook or steam cashew nuts before consuming them.

Raw cashew nuts have urushiol, a chemical that is present in poison ivy and may lead to immediate death. So if you happen to see a lot of cashews around, you don’t need to pick or eat them.

Can you name a few other foods that can cause death or are harmful to health?

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