## How to Prepare and Detoxify Bamboo Shoots, Cassava, Potatoes, Peanuts, Meat, Fish and Shrimp
How to remove toxins from bamboo shoots
All three types of bamboo shoots—white bamboo shoots (from the bamboo root), soaked white bamboo shoots (which have been soaked in water and have a slightly sour taste), and yellow bamboo shoots (boiled and soaked)—contain high levels of cyanide, a deadly poison that can kill a person within minutes, even in small amounts. This toxin is present in bamboo shoots and will gradually evaporate when soaked in water. However, during the pickling process, the cyanide in the bamboo shoots can combine with enzymes or other substances in the human gut, leading to a high risk of poisoning.
Detoxification method: Avoid choosing bamboo shoots that have been soaked in water for too long as they will be extremely sour. When you buy bamboo shoots, soak them in water for several hours. Before cooking, blanch them in boiling water with a little salt once or twice to reduce the cyanide content to a minimum.
Toxic substances in cassava
Cassava also contains toxic levels of cyanide, which is present in both the peel and the flesh of the root. However, the peel has a higher concentration of cyanide. Even when the peel is removed, the flesh of the cassava root still contains this toxic substance. When boiled in large quantities, the toxin will form a layer of scum on the surface of the water. Consuming this scum can lead to immediate poisoning.
Detoxification method: Peel and soak the cassava in cold water for several hours. When boiling, leave the lid open to allow the cyanide to evaporate, thus reducing the toxicity.
Toxic substances in potatoes
Potatoes are highly nutritious, but when left above ground for extended periods, they are exposed to various environmental factors, such as sunlight. Potatoes that have sprouted or have green skins have increased levels of solanine, a natural toxin found in potatoes. Consuming potatoes at this stage can lead to poisoning, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
Detoxification method: Avoid eating sprouted potatoes or those with green skins or that have been stored for a long time after harvesting.
How to detoxify peanuts
Fresh peanuts, when not stored properly in a cool, dry place, can quickly become moldy in a warm, humid environment. The mold that grows on peanuts can be highly toxic, and people with sensitive constitutions can easily be poisoned by consuming them.
Detoxification method: Store peanuts in a well-ventilated area. If the fresh peanuts are still slightly damp, sun-dry them before storing them indoors. Regularly check the peanuts and remove any moldy, discolored, or abnormal-looking nuts.
Do not fry meat; blanch shrimp and fish before cooking
Many people have the habit of scalding meat in boiling water to remove impurities. However, according to experts, this practice is unscientific. When meat is placed in boiling water, it causes the meat to contract, increasing its ability to absorb chemicals and impurities.
To minimize toxins, thoroughly wash the meat and then soak it in a brine solution, as salt water helps remove impurities and also makes the meat more fragrant.
Cooking meat at high temperatures, especially frying or stir-frying, can form pyrrolidine nitroso and dimethylnitrosamine, compounds proven to cause cancer. Therefore, it is important not to fry or stir-fry meat at high temperatures.
According to Khoevadep