In folklore, it is often believed that certain foods like bamboo shoots, tomatoes, and duck are very harmful to the human body and should be avoided. So, according to modern belief, are these foods really harmful to our health?
1. Bamboo shoots contain extremely harmful toxins
Bamboo shoots are a popular and easy-to-eat food. However, if not properly processed to remove toxins, consuming bamboo shoots can pose a health risk.
According to food technology experts, fresh bamboo shoots have a high level of HCN (hydrogen cyanide), which is harmful to the body. HCN causes acute poisoning, not chronic poisoning, which means it reacts to toxins after a few hours or even minutes of ingestion. However, if a small amount of HCN is present in the bamboo shoots, the body will naturally eliminate it.
Children and the elderly, who are weaker and more sensitive, are more susceptible to its toxicity. In 100g of raw bamboo shoots, there are 32-38mg of HCN. In well-boiled bamboo shoots, this amount reduces to 2.7mg. For pickled bamboo shoots, it is 2.2mg, and for boiled bamboo shoots, it is 10mg.
A dose of 50-60mg (equivalent to about 200g of raw bamboo shoots) can be fatal, starting with symptoms like shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, muscle paralysis, convulsions, and even respiratory arrest. It is also important to avoid eating moldy bamboo shoots as they produce very dangerous toxins. PGS Thịnh also notes that fresh bamboo shoots contain a very high cyanide content, about 230mg/kg of bamboo. This is a highly toxic substance, and the lethal oral dose is 1mg/kg of body weight.
Therefore, housewives should know how to remove toxins from bamboo shoots when preparing dishes at home using the following methods:
– Slice or shred the bamboo shoots and soak them in clean water overnight.
– Peel and wash the bamboo shoots, then cut them into thin slices or small shreds. Soak them in clean water overnight to reduce toxins, then rinse them again before cooking.
– Boil the bamboo shoots 2-3 times
Boil the bamboo shoots several times in boiling water and rinse them in clean water each time. Only when the bamboo shoots are soft and no longer bitter, they can be used to cook dishes.
2. The saying “one tomato equals three months of medication” is completely wrong
For a long time, many people have believed that “one tomato equals three months of medication,” implying that eating tomatoes can have harmful effects on health. However, food and nutrition experts believe that this belief is not scientifically based.
If tomatoes are properly cooked and eaten in moderation, they do not pose any harm to health as people often think.
In traditional medicine, tomatoes have a sweet taste, a cold property, and are believed to have the effects of promoting blood circulation, reducing inflammation, controlling diarrhea, promoting urination, treating abscesses, and eliminating abdominal masses. 100g of tomatoes provide 1.5g of protein (with essential amino acids for the body), 12mg of calcium, 0.7mg of iron, 18mg of magnesium, 16mg of phosphorus, and 22.1g of potassium. They also contain copper and selenium, which are precious minerals.
Tomatoes also contain various vitamins such as provitamin A, vitamin C (3mg/100g), vitamins B1, B2, and PP. The seeds of tomatoes do have small fibers that can potentially cause coughing. However, no studies have been published regarding this harmful effect. Tomatoes also contain a certain amount of sitosterol, although it is not of particular concern, they do contain toxic solanine. Unripe tomatoes have more solanine than ripe tomatoes.
According to experts, if tomatoes are cooked properly, they do not pose any harm. Similarly, pickled tomatoes, when prepared according to traditional methods, ensuring hygiene and eating in moderation, do not pose any harm to health. Therefore, the phrase “one tomato equals three months of medication” is incorrect.
Another important issue to note is that pickled tomatoes are often very salty. In cases where they are not properly fermented or have a funky smell, consumption should be limited. To preserve or pickle any type of food with salt, the salt content should be at least 5%. Eating too many pickled tomatoes can lead to excessive sodium intake, increasing the risk of high blood pressure and other health issues.
3. Duck meat, although healthy, can become ‘toxic’ when consumed in certain ways
Studies have shown that consuming duck meat has a positive effect on supporting cardiovascular disease treatment, as well as tuberculosis and cancer treatment. However, if consumed inappropriately, it can have adverse effects and even lead to severe poisoning. The foods that should not be combined with duck meat are turtle, softshell turtle, and garlic.
Both turtle and duck meat are nutritious foods. However, they are incompatible with each other. Therefore, if they are cooked together, the person consuming them may experience diarrhea or edema. Furthermore, there are many biologically active compounds in turtles that can cause degradation of protein or reduce the nutritional value of duck meat.
You should not eat softshell turtle along with duck meat as it can cause symptoms of “yin deficiency and yang excess”, leading to bloating, diarrhea, and even serious illnesses. Additionally, you should not combine garlic with duck meat. Garlic is a commonly used spice in Vietnamese cuisine that has many health benefits and is used in various dishes. However, when it comes to dishes with duck meat, you should never add garlic in any form.
Duck meat contains a large amount of protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin D, etc. However, people with the following conditions may worsen their health if they eat duck meat:
– People who have a cold or have recently undergone surgery: Duck meat has a cold property, so people with a cold should avoid it to prevent worsening of the condition. Those who have just undergone surgery should avoid pungent foods, including duck meat, as it slows down the healing process.
– People with gout: Duck meat contains a high level of purines, which can increase uric acid levels in the body.
– People with poor digestion: Duck meat has a cold property, which can weaken the circulatory system and other organs such as the digestive system, kidneys, and immune system. Therefore, people with poor digestion should not eat too much duck meat.
– People with bone and joint issues: Foods with a cold property, including duck meat in general, can be harmful to people with bone and joint problems. The cold property can cause the body to become cold, leading to more pain and discomfort in the bones and joints.
– People with a cough: Duck meat contains tannins, which can be harmful to people with a cough. Tannins make it harder for the respiratory tract of cough patients to function properly. Therefore, eating duck meat can prolong the recovery process and potentially worsen the condition.
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