Water Chestnut
Water chestnut is a food that grows in waterlogged areas, so it contains many parasites and should not be eaten raw. It is a nutritious ingredient with diverse preparation methods and attractive flavors.
According to many studies, water chestnuts grown in water are prone to infection with large intestinal flukes, a type of aquatic parasite that can invade the human body and reside in the small intestine, causing serious health effects for those unfortunate enough to be infected. In addition, water chestnuts also contain a high amount of oxalic acid, a substance that can precipitate into kidney stones… Therefore, to be healthier and not affect your health, you should blanch water chestnuts before cooking.
Lotus Root
Lotus root is not only one of the most nutritious foods, but also extremely suitable for the autumn-winter season. In addition to dishes such as pork rib and lotus root soup, braised lotus root with pig’s tail, lotus root porridge, mixed lotus root salad, crispy fried lotus root, lotus root kimchi… many people also eat raw fresh lotus roots because they have a crispy, sweet, and juicy taste.
However, in reality, lotus root is an aquatic plant that is often found in polluted areas, so it can be infected with larvae of a type of ginger leech. It is difficult to completely clean them by normal methods.
In addition, there are many cavities inside the lotus root, which create favorable conditions for parasites to grow and reproduce. You need to peel them before eating as well as thoroughly wash them before boiling, steaming, or stir-frying to ensure your health.
Lettuce
Although lettuce is one of the types of vegetables that is rich in fiber and vitamins, it is prone to parasitic infections due to fertilization and watering processes as it grows close to the ground… If lettuce is grown traditionally, hydroponically or organically, it can pose health risks such as intestinal parasites or heat-tolerant coliform bacteria…
Even though you wash the lettuce thoroughly before eating, you should not consume this vegetable raw on a regular basis. Before eating, you need to soak it in salt water and wash it carefully. If possible, you should cook or blanch it before eating to ensure your health and always stay healthy.
Arrowhead
In addition to the name arrowhead, this food is also known as water chestnut. They are rich in nutrients and have good effects on health, such as enhancing immunity and nourishing health. Arrowhead has a crispy, sweet, and juicy taste, so many people eat them raw like fruit.
However, arrowheads are often grown in wet mud or rice fields and are prone to parasites clinging to the skin. Although washing or peeling is a good way to remove larvae, it is not enough for this type of tuber as you may accidentally swallow pinworm larvae.
The development process in the muddy soil makes arrowheads prone to infection with aquatic liver flukes. If eaten raw, they will enter the intestines and cause the eater to suffer from symptoms such as fatigue, dry skin, malnutrition… and pose a life-threatening danger.
