I have two blogs--Mystery Fanfare and DyingforChocolate, and I find that they sometimes overlap. While checking twitter for chocolate news, recipes and info, I came across the Blog Sweets Foods. Yesterday there was a list of natural foods that contain substances potentially harmful to the body. Now, this was a warning, of course, to all the people in cyberspace, but I thought mystery writers and readers could certainly use the knowledge. To what end? Well, that's up to them.
Beans: Favism or fabism or favismo or fabismo is a genetic disease for having a different gen that codify and react against the fava beans producing blood problems and other important ones. Favism (an incurable disease) is found mainly in the contour of the Mediterranean sea with some focus in Africa.
Cassava or yuca (Spanish) or mandioca (Portuguese) and many other names in the world. A staple food tuber that originated in South America and an important source of carbohydrates globally. It has a little quantity of cyanide. Avoid eating raw; cyanide doesn’t need more explanation!
Almonds, the so-called sweet almonds aren’t toxic but a bitter variety has some cyanide. They both can become poisonous in very damp environments…cyanide has the smell of almonds (but you knew that!)
Apricot kernels and other fruit seeds like peaches, pears, cherries, plums, apples contain natural cyanide but the problem begins with exaggerated quantities that have a toxic effect.
Fugu, a Japanese famous fish, contains lethal toxins in several parts of its body. Not available in most pantries.
Green potatoes are poisonous. Avoid using green potatoes or take away the green part of a normal potato. Store potatoes in dark, fresh and dry places because when they're exposed to light, they generate natural toxins.
Nutmeg a classic in cooking, has a narcotic and toxic side in your heath if it's taken in large amounts.
The Jamaican fruit, ackee, can emit a toxic gas if it is forced open before it's ripe!
Care to add to the list?
