Innocent-looking potatoes: You have them baked; you have them toasted; you might even have them fried.
But within them is a potentially toxic poison.
Glycoalkaloids can be found in a number of foods we eat in varying quantities including tomatoes and aubergines. The chemicals can cause gastrointestinal problems, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea and death.
In most cases, you won’t have to worry as the level of the poison in these and most potatoes sold in the UK are quite low and safe to eat.
Higher levels have been found in some commercial varieties.
In 1986, Sweden put a sales ban of the tubers of the Magnum Bonum variety of potatoes after finding unacceptable levels of glycoalkaloids in them.
2) Peanuts
But peanut butter tastes so good…
An allergy to peanuts is the most common food allergy in adults and child. You could be at risk if you’re not sure if you’re allergic to these nuts.
Consumption of peanuts can make you go into anaphylactic shock, constricting the airways and causing a loss of consciousness that could lead to death.
3) Stones from cherries, apricots, plums and peaches
You don’t have to eat much of theses
Don’t spit your pips? You may want to rethink.
The stones of these popular fruits contains cyanogenic compounds – chemicals essentially that your body can turn into cyanide.
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There’s no need to freak if you accidentally swallow a cherry whole. You’re more at risk if the pip is broken or exposed when ingested.
4) Uncooked eggs
Bad news for those who swallow raw eggs to get fit
Raw food can be exciting and delicious. But sometimes it’s just not worth the risk.
Eating uncooked eggs and raw meat can put you at risk of salmonella.
The bacteria likely to cause illness can even appear in normal-looking eggs, a really runny boiled egg for example according tocentre for disease control and prevention.
5) Almonds
Bitter and deadly
Commonly thought of as nuts (they’re actually seeds), almonds should be handled with care.
They can sweet and bitter, and it’s the bitter ones you should look out for. They can contain high amounts of cyanide.
The ones you buy the shop will be fine, as they will have been made for human consumption. Bitter almonds have to be heat-treated before they’re suitable to eat.
6) Raw Meat
Raw meat — including red meat, poultry, and seafood can cause gastroenteritis in humans. Salmonella poisoning can also lead to serious complications, such as bacteremia (when salmonella enters the bloodstream) that are life-threatening to people with weaker immune systems. So light a flame under your meat to avoid any risks