“Eat more
fruits and vegetables.”
This is the cliché that we commonly
hear from our doctors, teachers as well as from our parents. Eating fruits and
vegetables is one of the most effective and advisable guidelines for healthy
living because first and foremost, they are low in calories but are
concentrated with very high supplies of vitamins and minerals.
But just like Janus, fruits, and
vegetables have two faces— they can either be a friend or a friend— they can
either be a healer or a killer.
Here are some of your all-time favorite fruits and
vegetables that can either heal or kill you:
Apple
– Indeed, ‘an apple a day keeps the
doctors away’ but there should be a revision for that phrase and that should be
‘a seedless apple a day keeps the doctors away.’ This is because the seeds of
the apple contain a chemical substance called cyanogenic glycosides that
produces cyanide. This cyanide when carried in the body will damage the bodily
systems and in the worst cases will even result in death.
If you consumed seeds from one apple, don’t worry for your body
can still manage the toxic. But if you consumed so many apple seeds, then be
prepared to be rushed either to the hospital or to the cemetery.
Potatoes – really possess a bunch of health benefits that can be used by our body but they can also be dangerous in one way or another. In the Working Group’s Dirty List, potato is ranked as one of the vegetables which registers the highest pesticide levels which will in in turn harm the nervous system and most especially the liver— one of the hardest working organs of the body
In addition, potato is also a member
of the nightshade family which is known to contain higher levels of alkaloids that
cause muscle dysfunction, joint problems, and digestive upsets.
Corn – can be found everywhere— in popcorn, hotdogs, canned goods, BBQ sauce, cereals, syrups, etc. making this a staple food. But corn has also problems that we have to consider. In recent years, corn has become subject to various genetic modifications. The problem with this is that when new genes are added to the corn, new proteins are introduced to our body resulting in major sensitivities, hormonal changes, and disruptions in the digestive tract. This is because our body cannot easily recognize and accept those newly introduced proteins.
Moreover, corn has been used in
feeding cows to fatten them up and create a ‘nice marbling’ effect in the meat.
The very same thing will happen to you. If you want to eat corn, then make sure
that your corns are organic.
Bell Peppers – Many people all over the world suffer from heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, making these three the A-listers when it comes to mortality rate. Various reasons have been assumed to be the factors why those three are widespread to many people such as the prevalence of stress and refined foods. However, one of the reasons for such is the intake of plants belonging to the nightshade family and one of those plants is bell pepper.
Like all nightshades, bell peppers
contain alkaloid solanine which disturbs nerve functions and often leads to
twitching, convulsing, and trembling also affects joint health making this not
advisable for people with arthritis, osteoarthritis, and joint issues. Bell
pepper is also included in the Working Group’s Dirty List.
Eggplant – This purple veggie is also a member of the nightshade family but eggplant is different compared to the other nightshades because this registers the highest levels of alkaloid solanine making this veggie not advisable for people suffering from chronic inflammation and joint problems.
This plant also contains oxalates—one of the major factors for kidney stones that’s why it’s not advisable for
people with kidney stones and gallbladder disturbances for this may aggravate
the condition.
Conventional Spinach – Although conventional spinach or non-organic spinach is fully-loaded with vitamins A and K and displays anti-cancer properties, this vegetable has high levels of pesticides.
According to USDA Pesticide Data
Program, spinach contains more than 48 pesticide residues thus, making someone
who consumes this vegetable at risk of carcinogens, hormone disruptions, and
neurotoxins.
Cherry Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes are very known for their high lycopene content which prevents someone from acquiring prostate cancer and osteoporosis. However, cherry tomatoes increase inflammation within the body, especially in joints.
In an investigation done by USDA, it
was discovered that cherry tomatoes contain 35 pesticide residues and it is
also included in the Working Group’s Dirty List.
Cucumber – Cucumber can be very refreshing to the body but you will not be feeling refreshed if you will know the fact that cucumber inhibits 35 pesticide residues and is also among the dirty list.
This plant contains synthetic wax
made up of different chemical contaminants which may result in hormone
disruptions and system imbalances.
Celeries – This fibrous anti-inflammatory vegetable may be nutritious and beneficial but in some cases, they can be toxic. This veggie is also part of the Dirty List and according to USDA, this contains about 68 pesticide residues that disrupt the hormones in the body.
If you want to grab a celery bite,
then make sure that it is organic and free from harmful chemicals.
Conventional Kale – Kale is regarded as one of the most nutritious vegetables of all. This superfood displays tremendous healing properties and can make the body more healthy as well as more active. Unfortunately, kale is also on the Dirty List and according to Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, it is contaminated with organophosphate insecticides which are extremely toxic to the nervous system.
Aside from that, it is also
goitrogenic– meaning, it causes goiters most especially in those people with
unhealthy thyroids. And lastly, it is also high in oxalate supply which will
put your kidneys in a bad situation.
Squash – Filled with great minerals, fiber, and vitamins— these are the descriptions for squash but the disgusting part is, again it is part of the Dirty List. Just like Kale, squash is contaminated with organophosphate insecticides which disturb bodily processes and may cause inflammation of vital organs.
Moreover, according to USDA, squash
was found to have 41 pesticide residues and is also abundant in
kidney-destroying oxalates.
Lima Beans – These yummy beans have to be very well cooked and never be put to salads raw because it contains linamarin which is oftentimes regarded as toxic. If these beans are cooked carefully, they can have lots of health benefits.
If not, a handful of these beans can
make you fatally ill.
Cassava – Cassava is hailed as the third most consumed food in the world but just like Lima beans, if not carefully prepared, they can be dangerous. This happens because cassava has an innate cyanide supply that is toxic. There are two types of cassava, the sweet and the bitter. The bitter one contains more cyanide compared to the sweet one that’s why farmers prefer bitter cassavas because pests don’t dare to eat it.
Don’t underestimate the dangerous
side of cassava for one pound of bitter unprocessed cassava can kill a cow and
can also kill a human.
Nutmegs – Nutmegs contain myristicine which is psychoactive or can affect the psychological state of a person.
Too much intake of nutmegs will
immediately result in vomiting, sweating, dizziness, hallucinations, and a
series of headaches.
Kidney Beans – from the word itself very beneficial for the kidneys but sadly, this kind of bean contains a toxin known as phytohaemagglutinin which can make somebody sick and in some cases, it can even result in death.
To make kidney beans edible for
eating, a very careful preparation must be done but to make sure, just
patronize kidney beans that are put into cans.
Cherries – Just like apricots, peaches, and plums, cherries do possess cyanogenic glycosides which produce cyanide in the pits. If you swallow a pit or two, this may not leave a visible effect on your health but if you take large amounts, that could be fatal and it is even more fatal if you chewed it.
Every year, many people die from consuming too many pits. Don’t let yourself become another figure in the statistic.
No comments:
Post a Comment