If you’re a foodie, then you probably love trying new foods. You know those times when you go to another country and want to taste a little bit of everything? Usually, we are curious beings by nature, and this world is so vast and rich that we want to experience as much of it as possible when trying new foods. We first test them by looks and smell. However, looks can be deceiving, and some delicious foods can be highly toxic to us.
Today’s Post will discuss 22 potentially hazardous foods that can kill or send you to the hospital. They are on the list of the world’s most dangerous foods.
1. The Fugu Fish
The fugu fish is a delicacy in japan. Still, if prepared correctly, it can be safe. Fugu contains a toxin called tetrodotoxin which is more poisonous than cyanide. This is why in the u.s, the fugu is banned. Japanese chefs who want to be legally allowed to cook this fish must undergo rigorous training and pass a strict exam. The fugu fish is appreciated in japan as the people there consume about ten thousand tons each year. Would you dare to try it?
2. The Giant Bullfrog
This giant bullfrog grows to the size of a cat, which can be lethal due to its poison; nevertheless, Namibians cook and eat it as a delicacy. If not cooked properly, the giant bullfrog can cause kidney failure and other complications. It may taste lovely, but is it worth the risk? Let us know in the comments below.
3. Alfalfa Sprouts
Alfalfa sprouts are delicious and quite nutritious; however, you risk salmonella infection if you consume them as they grow. They might nurture disease-causing bacteria like e coli, Listeria monocytogenes, or salmonella. That’s enough for a night visit to the er, and you wouldn’t want that, would you alfalfa sprouts also contain a toxin called cannabine which can attack the immune system, so leave these sprouts aside you’ve got plenty of other tasty and nutritious options.
4. Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin tuna is a prized delicacy in japan used for sushi and sashimi. It is flavoured and expensive. In 2013 a giant bluefin tuna was sold for a whopping 1.76 million dollars. Nevertheless, bluefin tuna can be dangerous because it contains high levels of mercury, a toxic chemical compound. A high mercury concentration can result in severe kidney, heart, and nervous system issues in large quantities. It can be deadly to the human body, so be careful with bluefin tuna. It might be a delicacy, but it can also be hazardous.
5. Blood Clams
Can find blood clams in the gulf of Mexico, the atlantic, and the pacific usually, clams are delicious and safe to eat, but not blood clams. Blood clams live in low-oxygen environments and are known to ingest various types of viruses that can prove dangerous to us humans, like typhoid, dysentery, or hepatitis a, so why not stick to ordinary clams and avoid the blood clams? Isn’t that better?
6. The Kappa Yang Fruit
The scientific name of repaying is paintium adul. The tree is endemic to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. Almost every part of the keppeang tree is poisonous. The wood leaves and fruit is high in cyanide, a deadly poison; nevertheless, the locals have found a way to cook the fruit seeds. Some old methods include boiling the seeds before burying them in a pit of ash for 40 days. The seeds are considered a delicacy for their creamy texture and flavour, but would you take the chance?
7. Hacker
Hack roll is an Icelandic delicacy that tastes like stinky cheese and urine. You will need a strong shot of liquor to wash it down. Wait, what hacker is a rotten raw shark that gets buried in dirt for months to prevent its skin from being toxic? Iceland’s national food and quite a tourist attraction, so why is it dangerous hack roll raw shark meat that has been fermented? Raw shark meat is toxic because it contains high levels of urea sharks need urea to regulate the salt concentration in their bodies; however, for humans, high urea levels can lead to respiratory skin and eye diseases.
8. Sanakji
Also known as a live octopus, sonakji is a raw dish served while still moving. The octopus is no longer alive, but the nerves in the tentacles are still squirming, and the suction cups are still active. Hence, sanakji is a choking hazard, and that’s why it’s dangerous. It would help if you chewed on it thoroughly before swallowing. Six people die yearly by choking on tsunakji, so think twice before you try it.
9. Kasumarzu
kasu marzu is cheese with maggots. It has been banned in many parts of the world, including the united states why, because it’s got actual maggots in it, so kasu marzu begins as an actual block of cheese that is left outside for flies to lay their eggs in it. When these eggs hatch, the maggots start eating the cheese, digest it partially and then excrete the rest.
Yes, it sounds gross, but kasu marzu is a coveted delicacy selling on the black market for about five hundred dollars per pound. If you try a bite, you could get a solid allergic reaction, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Of course, I’ll be unsure how you could put it in your mouth first.
10. Silver Stripe Blasop
This fish is found in the indo-west pacific, and it is considered a delicacy people have been eating for centuries; however, the liver, the reproductive organs, and the skin are highly poisonous, and they can trigger fatal paralysis and severe breathing problems, but if you carefully remove these parts the fish is excellent and healthy would you take the risk.
11. Aki Ackee
Jamaica’s national fruit but taking a bite can cause severe vomiting, also known as Jamaican vomiting sickness ackee contains high levels of hypoglycin which has a robust hypoglycemic effect that can cause death if you avoid the toxic black seeds; you can eat the yellow flesh once the red fruit has burst open, however, would you take the risk.
12. Cassava
This starchy root vegetable is endemic to the Caribbean and Central America. It is also known as yucca. About 500 million people consume cassava in their bread, desserts, or soups; however, if not cooked properly, cassava can become cyanide once digested and contains enough poison to kill you, so beware.
13. Stonefish
This fish is also considered a delicacy, and it is incredibly safe to eat; however it can be deadly to catch and cook it has 13 venomous and sharp spines along its back a sting is excruciatingly painful, damaging the skin tissue in the immediate area more than that the venom can trigger seizures paralysis and shock leading to death even now reading this would you eat it yes it’s safe to eat but still.
14. Death Cat Mushroom (Amanita Phalloids)
Amanita phalloids, aka the death cat mushroom, is a deadly poisonous fungus widely spread across Europe. It is one of the most dangerous mushrooms in the world. A few mouthfuls of death cat mushrooms can cause abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea at first. This is known as the honeymoon phase. If the cause of the abdominal cramps is not discovered in time, the poison in these mushrooms will silently destroy the liver causing rapid organ failure, coma, and even death. If you don’t know much about mushrooms, keep away from them.
15. Inky Cat Mushroom
The inky cat mushroom is popularly known as a tippler’s bane because it becomes poisonous when consumed with alcohol. The mushroom contains a specific toxin that can cause serious illness when consumed with alcohol. The symptoms include nausea, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or palpitations. Even rubbing alcohol on the skin or inhaling it can cause the symptoms to kick in. It’s a nasty thing.
16. Raw Elderberries
Elderberries represent a staple in homeopathic medicine used to treat skin injuries and colds. They are also quite delicious; however, their seeds, leaves, and twigs contain a cyanide-like compound. Eating raw elderberries increases the risk of severe vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and dehydration.
17. Raw Cashews
If you’re in love with these delicious nuts and always purchase a bag from your local supermarket, you should also know that raw cashews are highly toxic due to a toxic chemical called urushiol. This compound is related to poison ivy and can cause some unpleasant skin conditions. Moreover, in large quantities, raw cashews can be deadly; however, the cashews you buy from the supermarket are not raw. The kernels have been steamed to remove their urushiol, so you should be safe, but always remember that raw cashews are nasty.
18. Monkey Brains
Monkey brains are a delicacy in china. They represent a prized dish over there. However, monkey brains can cause a severe neurodegenerative disorder called kreutzfeld Jacob. It’s something like the mad cow disease resulting in depression, impaired vision, dementia, progressive paralysis, and death. Mad, right? I’d have chicken, please.
19. Elvers Elfers
Some baby eels that can be sold for six thousand dollars per kilogram are a delicacy in Japan; however, what you should know is that the blood of elvers and eels, in general, is poisonous if not cooked elvers thoroughly, and eels can be highly toxic moreover in some parts of the world they are protected as endangered species so don’t eat them alright.
20. Lychee
Lychee is quite a delicious food; however, you should eat it only when it’s fully ripe; otherwise, it can prove toxic, sometimes even fatal, causing brain inflammation, also known as brain fever. The main symptoms are high fever, convulsions, vomiting, unconsciousness, and seizures.
21. Shaya
Shaya is some tree spinach with prolonged leaves native to the Yucatan peninsula. It is a staple in central American cuisine; however, the leaves contain cyanide-producing compounds, which can prove very toxic, so you must adequately simmer them in oil before eating them.
22. Bamboo Shoots
Bamboo shoots are the only edible part of the bamboo plant. They are common in Asian cuisine and go well with their soups and noodles; however, they contain cyanide-producing toxins, so you need to boil them properly before eating.
Bottom Line
Now that you’ve gone through this list of 22 Potentially Hazardous Foods that can kill you, will you still try them out or stay away from them?
