Naturally Occurring Toxins in Foods

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Naturally

Occurring Toxins in Foods

 

Natural toxins are normal. However, we can consume the fruit or vegetable

safely when proper precautions are taken.

 

 

 

 

 

There

are superstitious beliefs about the nightshade family (Potatoes, Tomatoes,

Peppers, and Eggplant) and how they may harm the immune system or be unfit to

eat. Actually, many of the vegetables in the nightshade family are

staples in one's diet, particularly in the Middle East where Eggplant, Peppers

and Tomatoes are eaten in abundance. These vegetables are also known for

their great medicinal qualities. People following the macrobiotic diet

don’t eat fruits, they are actually all fruits, in the nightshade family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The

nightshade family of foods do indeed have a potential toxin. This is

mother nature’s way of protecting themselves from insect damage. The

toxin is found in the green part of these vegetables. Proper choosing and

storage can cut down these risks.

 

 

 

 

 

Potatoes

should always be stored in a dark cool place and kept away from light. To

be safe, any green part on the potato, including any growths, should be cut

away before using. Don’t ever eat green potatoes , they contain the

toxin solanine. Potatoes may turn green when exposed to light and you’ll

see a green skin. Never eat the leaves or stems from a potato

either.

 

 

 

 

 

Green

Tomatoes have this toxin, glycoalkaloids. These toxins cause them to have

a bitter taste to be unappealing for consumption. Although a delicious

southern food (fried green Tomatoes), we should not consume green Tomatoes.

And never eat the leaves or stems of Tomatoes.

 

 

 

 

 

Eggplant

and Peppers should be ripe to avoid the toxin. That means no green

Peppers and no green Eggplant. Green Peppers, though common, are actually

just immature. When allowed to ripen they will turn a glorious red or

yellow or orange or even purple. Green Peppers have a distinctive and

strong flavor, not at all like the mature fruit which is sweet. There is,

however, a variety of green pepper that is ripe when green. This is not

the variety commonly found. The ones you find in most restaurants and

grocery stores are red bells that are harvested at the unripe green stage.

 

 

 

 

 

Again,

avoid the leaves and stems.

 

 

 

 

 

This

toxin can cause nausea, vomiting, and headaches, but you have to eat a whole lot

of it for this to occur. In super great quantities, they can cause

convulsions and unconsciousness so it can be serious.

 

 

 

 

 

People

with arthritis sometimes avoid these foods because they may aid in inflammatory

conditions, but the reports are conflicting on this advice.

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet

Potatoes aren’t in nightshade family, they are part of the morning glory

family.

 

 

 

 

 

Personally,

after researching this, I find nothing that leads me to believe the nightshade

family is unsafe in average quantities and there is plenty of research on the

great antioxidant value and nutritional value of this group, not to mention

tasty and versatile!

 

 

 

 

 

Fun

Fact:

 

 

 

 

 

Nightshade

vegetables are actually all fruit! We eat them as vegetables (like in

salads, side dishes, and not generally snacking out of hand or in desserts) so

we consider them vegetables but they are indeed all fruit! What makes a

fruit? It's all in the seeds and germination - fruits have seeds that

develop from the " ovaries " of flowers. You'll also note that

fruit get picked or snipped and leave the plant alive while vegetables, well,

we're eating the entire plant there so there's nothing left. Other popular

vegetables that are really fruit include okra, cucumber, summer squash and hard

squash. Fruitarians do eat these " vegetables " as well as

nightshade " vegetables " because of that.

 

 

 

 

 

Cherries,

Apples, Peaches and Pears all contain toxic seeds, leaves and bark but the

fruit is perfectly fine and quite delicious!

 

 

 

 

 

The

green leaves of the Rhubarb are very poisonous, but the red fruit itself is

fine.

 

 

 

 

 

In

addition, Corn can harbor a mold that is toxic. That toxin is a

carcinogen. Because of this, Delicious Organics will not offer any

products with corn syrup. Corn is also now the single most genetically

modified organism modified organism, next to soybeans. Corn is also a

grain and can raise insulin levels. Personally, we avoid corn in

products, we read labels and don't eat processed foods with corn (except the

occasional non-GMO corn chip) though we do indulge in organic fresh corn when

it’s in season a couple times a year.

 

 

 

 

 

Broccoli,

Lentils, and Grapefruit contain naturally occurring pesticides that can cause

mutations if eaten in large enough quantities.

 

 

 

 

 

Peanuts

and peanut butter often have traces of aflatoxin, a substance found in a mold

that grows on the nuts. This toxin is known to cause cancer in high

enough amounts. Delicious Organics only offers products with peanuts that

are grown in arid climates like Arizona because that toxin is not found to grow

there.

 

 

 

 

 

Celery

harbors toxins that at high enough levels damage the human immune system and

causes photosensitivity. (Highest levels occur in celery that has brownish

patches.) Celery also contains naturally occurring nitrates.

Spinach, Eggplant, Beets, Lettuce, Turnip Greens, Green Beans, Radishes, and

Collards absorb nitrates from the ground fertilizers. The nitrogen in the

ground oxidizes into nitrates. These nitrates cause the bitter flavor we

associate with some greens like Collards. Organic vegetables have far

less, minimal levels of nitrates because of the natural compost used to

fertilize the soil as compared with the conventional cousins. While these

naturally occurring nitrates are fine in these quantities for adults (although

they may trigger migraines in some people), babies should not be given these

foods until their detoxification system is more mature, at least 9 months of

age.

 

 

 

 

 

Spinach,

Chard, Beets and Beet Greens, Mustard Greens, Sweet Potatoes , Peanuts,

Almonds, Cashews, (most nuts), Beans, Soybeans, Rhubarb, Plantains, Ginger,

Pumpkin, Cabbage, Green Beans, Mango, Eggplant, Tomatoes and Tomatillos,

Lentils, Parsnips, Bell Peppers, Black Pepper, Parsley, Rhubarb, Summer Squash,

Star Fruit, Berries (especially Strawberries and Cranberries), Oats, Coffee,

Tea, Chocolate and Cocoa, and contain oxalic acid which while limiting

the absorption of calcium also cleans the intestinal tract. Eat these

things 2-3 hours before eating dairy or taking calcium supplements to maximize

calcium absorption. Debate exists whether it is more beneficial to cook

these things, like spinach and chard, or eat it raw (juice it). Cooking

turns the oxalic acid into crystals that are sharp and in large quantities can

damage the stomach, kidneys and limit the absorption of iron, but cooking also

breaks down cell walls and allow us to absorb more nutrients. The

answer? Moderation and variety. Very large amounts could cause

calcium and other nutritional deficiencies. People with kidney or

gallbladder problems may want to avoid these foods.

 

 

 

 

 

Raw

beans, legumes, and peas, including soybeans, lentils, black-eyed peas, peanuts

and mung beans contain trypsin inhibitors that block important digestive

enzymes and should therefore be used sparingly.

 

 

 

 

 

Alfalfa

Sprouts can harbor e-coli bacteria and listeria. This can be

uncomfortable for an adult who will get sick, but can be deadly to an unborn

baby so pregnant women should avoid these sprouts. Alfalfa sprouts also

contain the amino acid canavanine which is an anti-nutrient that can inhibit

the natural immune system. Therefore, we would all do well to avoid

alfalfa sprouts. Mature alfalfa does not contain this amino acid.

 

 

 

 

 

White

Button Mushrooms also contain a toxin that in sufficient quantities is

carcinogenic.

 

 

 

 

 

Goddess Bless!

 

 

GrannyMoon

 

 

 

 

 

The GoddessSchool Bookstore

http://astore.amazon.com/ancestordetect08/

 

 

 

 

 

" Do not ask Goddess to guide your footsteps if

you are not willing to move your feet! " ~GoddessSchool.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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