17 Foods That Can Kill You
Some of the most ordinary foods you eat every day can kill you. Sure, eating too much sugar or fat isn't good for you and can contribute to illnesses over a long period of time, but what about natural foods that are supposed to be healthy for us, like apples?
The foods on this list will give you more than just an upset stomach if you're not careful about how you eat them. From processed and packaged foods to all natural and organic, this is a list of foods that could poison you. But don't worry – we'll also tell you how to avoid inadvertently making any of these foods your last meal.
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Lima beans contain cyanide as a natural defense. Thankfully, the U.S. restricts commercial lima bean growth to only those beans with low cyanide levels. Just to be safe, boil your lima beans for 10 minutes. (source)
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Raw, red kidney beans contain a toxin called phytohaemagglutinin. This toxin won't kill you, but it will cause serious vomiting and nausea. To destroy the toxin, boil the beans for 10 minutes. (source)
Did this surprise you?The cherry itself is safe and delicious, but don't eat the pits. Cherry seeds are located inside the pit, and just one or two contain enough cyanide to kill a 150-pound person. (source)
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Elderberry
Elderberry jam is delicious, but you should never eat the berry raw. Elderberries contain glycosides, which when metabolized, they turn into a form of cyanide. As with bitter almonds, cyanide in elderberries can be neutralized by cooking the berries. (source)Did this surprise you? - 5Every serving of rice (about 1/4 cup) contains a few micrograms of arsenic. Honestly, death by rice is, at best, a theoretical concept, as it would take about 1,800 cups to kill you. You'd probably develop a stomach ache long before you'd get that far. (source)Did this surprise you?
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Relax, grating a little nutmeg on your coffee or hot toddy is still perfectly fine. However, don't go overboard on the spice, as a large serving will carry with it a large dose of the organic compound myristicin. In rare cases, myristicin poisoning has lead to death. In less extreme instances, the poison can cause hallucinations and nausea. (source)Did this surprise you?
