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‘Natural toxins’ in common vegetables can cause potential health issues, study says
With more and more people leaning toward a plant-based diet, it’s naturally assumed that the fruits and vegetables we eat are safe and free of toxins.
Not just ultra-processed food, but some of the most common vegetables you’ve been eating contain a high percentage of toxins that could cause damage to your health, according to a new study.
Study says common vegetables have ‘natural toxins’
While we are worried about chemicals and contamination in processed food, researchers have found that several common vegetables have “natural toxins” in them.
The data by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment reports that under 50 percent of the respondents of the survey weren’t even aware of toxic substances in plants.
While the risk from the same worries about 27 percent, about 63 percent are more concerned about residues in food and contaminants, i.e. substances that are not intentionally added to food.
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The natural toxins that can pose health risks are chemical compounds plants use to ward off insects, bugs, and microorganisms.
BfR President Professor Andreas Hensel said: “The survey results make it clear that risks of natural origin tend to be underestimated, while risks of synthetic origin tend to be overestimated.”
Naturally occurring plant toxins
The study reveals three common vegetables you eat regularly with natural toxins – potatoes, tomatoes, raw beans, and mushrooms.
Potatoes have the highest natural toxins at 15 percent, followed by tomatoes and raw beans at 9 percent and mushrooms at 5 percent.
These vegetables are safe to eat when soaked and cooked well. You should avoid eating them raw. Furthermore, potatoes that have gone green at the bottom and begun to sprout are said to have high levels of toxins and shouldn’t be eaten in any form.
The study also warns people not to eat “mouldy food”. While 25 percent of respondents think any food is safe to eat if the mouldy part is removed – it can still be harmful to your health. It’s recommended to dispose of the entire food if contaminated.
