Fara 26 March 2009 General Health, Healthy Foods, Nutritions 747 views No Comment/Trackback Print This Post  Email This Post

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Natural Toxins in Food – Not A Reason for Unhealthy Eating

Did you know that harmful chemicals could enter our food supply resulting from accidents, carelessness, and environmental pollution or during production and processing? However, little that we realized, that these harmful chemicals can also enter our system naturally. Perhaps it is because we rarely imagine food as something that is made up from a group of chemicals in their natural state.

So, it’s true. We get toxin in our body whether we like it or not. But that’s not entirely a sad truth. This is because the quantity of toxin substances in the common food are relatively low, however, it may be a little harmful when consumed in an excessively large amount over a long period of time. Therefore, the question of whether we need to get detox from time to time has been answered. Interactions between chemicals may block the toxic substances, and the heat of cooking can destroy certain toxic substances, as in legumes.

One option is to eat a variety of food. When there are a wide variety of foods in the diet, there is little chance that the toxic properties of any one food will be harmful.

These are a few examples of potentially harmful substances that occur naturally in foods.

Potatoes contain solanine, a compound that can interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses and glycoalkaloids, which can cause acute stomachache and even death (though in very unusual cases). These two components are often found in potato sprouts and the peel of potatoes that taste bitter and still greenish in color. It can’t be destroyed through cooking so there’s only one way – that is to avoid eating the sprouts, cooked potatoes that still taste bitter and crisp potato that’s still greenish in color.

Spinach and rhubarb contain oxalates, which combine with calcium, making it unavailable for its functions. Oxalic acid poisoning can cause muscle strain and cramps, decreased breathing and heart rate and activity, vomiting, headache and in severe cases even to coma.

Cabbage and turnips contain goitrogens, substances that may interfere with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and cause it to enlarge.

Legumes such as kidney beans contain toxins called lectins. Lectin poisoning can cause vomiting and nausea. It is best to soak the beans in water for at least five hours before boiling them. High temperature cooking are known to be able to destroy the toxin so it is definitely okay to overcooked it.

A cancer-causing substance in pollen has been found in honey.

What you can do for healthy eating?

Diversify your daily menu with fresh fruits and vegetables. Take them for your main courses, your snacks and even as something to munch before heading to bed. Despite the facts above, the risk of health problems due to unhealthy eating habits are higher than the risk of health problems associated with natural plant toxin. Do not make it as a reason not to eat those fruits and vegetables on your plate! You can always enjoy a detox program anytime but taking healthy eating plan for granted is not a smart choice of avoiding toxin.

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