Think your favorite snack is innocent and harmless? Well, not these 20 Foods That Can
Literally Kill You. So let’s take a look at some of the potential hazards.
Hot Dogs
There's no doubt America has a love for hot dogs. At this point, they're basically a part
of the identity. And despite the very questionable meats they're made with, it's not the reason
why they could kill you - well, probably. Officially, it has more to do with the risk
of suffocation that comes with chowing down on the delicious dog. In fact, Johns Hopkins
University reported that hot dogs are the number one cause of choking-related injuries
and fatalities in children under three years old. So before your little one gets to experience
the greatness of a full sized hot dog with everything on it, a lot of cutting it up into
bite-sized pieces should be done.
Cherries
Aside from the obvious possible choking hazard these little tasty fruits represent, cherry
pits can do a lot more damage than you probably thought possible. It's also the stones of
fruit like apricots, plums, and peaches that can be an issue. As well as being nearly
impossible to chew or crack with your teeth, the stones all contain amygdalin, a compound
that produces cyanide when it enters the body. If you swallow one by accident, don't worry,
they're rarely poisonous when whole - just be wary of the broken pits. While it would
take quite a few before requiring a hospital visit, why risk it? These little guys could
be your last hurrah.
Egg
This one you probably already know about, but a little memory refresher can't hurt.
You should basically never ever eat raw eggs. And not just because they're disgusting, slimy,
and overall unappetizing, but they're also not safe. Eating raw eggs can result in severe
diarrhea and vomiting that can quickly lead to dehydration and death if left untreated.
Oh, and bonus point, ingesting raw eggs can also cause salmonella poisoning - which is
never a really great experience. In other words, just avoid eating your eggs raw; it
would probably do you more harm than good. So, I guess this means Rocky was starting
out his training days all wrong.
Ghost Pepper
There are two types of people in life; those who like spicy food and those who can't handle
the heat. If you're one of those who can never seem to put enough hot sauce on your food,
then you have probably resorted to ghost peppers once or twice. If you multiply the flavor
of Tabasco exactly 401.5 times, you have the intensity of a ghost pepper. Basically, this
pepper is not messing around. Also known as ghost chili, this pepper is one of the world’s
hottest foods. It is not advised to eat a lot of them. Eating too much at once can cause
severe stomach issues, seizures, as well as heart attacks - all of which could result
in a painful death. If this is the price for spice, is it really worth it?
As we move along, take a second and hit that like button would ya - thanks. Now onward
and upward.
Sannakji
You might not be totally familiar with this next one, but in South Korea, it's one heck
of a popular snack. But, what is Sannkaji, exactly? Well, if you're squeamish, you have
now been warned. Sannkaji is a raw octopus that’s meant to be eaten while it’s still
squirming. Come again? Those 8 arms are still slithering around the plate even though they've
been chopped into bitesize pieces and served with sesame seeds and soy sauce. Besides the
obvious ick factor, Sannkaji can still be active once swallowed so there are some real
risks. Like the risk of choking on a wiggly sucker going down your esophagus. Around
six people die every year from eating the dish, and yet, it's still served. Weird.
Bagels
Alright, bagels are obviously not poisonous or dangerous for your health in any apparent
way, but they could still end up being very dangerous for you. Believe it or not, this
iconic breakfast staple is one of the most common causes of knife injuries in the kitchen.
Slicing this doughy treat can be quite a hazard, especially if you're in a hurry or simply
aren't paying enough attention. One little slip is all it takes to impale someone or
cause a very deep cut. You might think we're exaggerating, but in 2011, around 2,000 Americans
had to go to the hospital due to bagel-related injuries. Maybe we should all sign up for
bagel safety training.
Unpasteurized Milk
People tend to follow “the less processed, the better" train of thought. And while, that's
usually accurate, when it comes to milk, it's the complete opposite. On the one hand, it
has been proven by some studies that drinking unpasteurized milk has been associated with
a decrease in allergies and might deliver a higher nutritional value. But on the other,
it also comes with its fair share of risk, like the possibility of E. Coli, salmonella,
and listeria, which can all be fatal. Just make sure your milk has been pasteurized and
save yourself some worry, okay?
Honey
Adding a little bit of honey to something here and there never hurt anybody - in theory.
It's the perfect natural sweetener, after all. But, in reality, it can be extremely
dangerous if consumed unpasteurized. Many poisonous toxins are lurking in this sweet
and sticky treat which can lead to headaches, dizziness, weakness, and vomiting. And, if
you eat too much of it, it can even be fatal. Another downside; eating raw honey adds the
possible risk of botulism in infants, a fatal illness, also known as "mad honey disease." The
moral of the story; before sweetening your tea, make sure your honey is well pasteurized.
Pufferfish and Blowfish
It's not everyone who would be tempted to eat such an intimidating fish, but hey, to
each his own, right? The blowfish, or pufferfish, is known worldwide for its toxicity and harmful
effects. But in Japan? It's a true delicacy. This fish contains a highly toxic neurotoxin
called Tetrodotoxin, which can cause a fast, violent death. Oh, and there is no antidote.
Hmm, sounds great. Tetrodotoxin affects the nervous system and leads to paralysis - while
you’re still conscious. Chefs who wish to work with this delicacy need to train for
at least two years and obtain a special license. So, if you still want to risk it all, don't
be a fool, be sure to get it from a licensed professional - and not some roadside food
kiosk. Oh, and don't try making this one at home, kids.
Marshmallows
Marshmallows are a staple of so many great childhood memories. Campfire S'Mores, Rice
Krispy treats - practically everyone has a fond memory related to marshmallows. Well,
almost everyone. You see, marshmallows can be quite the choking hazard, especially when
paired with the popular game Chubby Bunny. For those unfamiliar with the game, the goal
is to stuff as many marshmallows in your mouth while still being able to say the words "Chubby
Bunny." It may seem harmless, but as a result, at least two people have died after suffocating
on the fluffy stuff. So, needless to say, finding a more suitable game to play would
save a lot of undesired results. The takeaway? Don't stuff too much of anything into your
mouth..I guess?
Potatoes
Usually, potatoes are safe to eat - just be careful of those green ones - those are not
so friendly. If you see a green potato, run in the opposite direction. The green parts
produce a poison called solanine - highly toxic to humans and can cause serious illness
if eaten in large quantities. You would have to consume about one pound of green potatoes
for it to become fatal, but why even take the chance? Who really wants to eat green
potatoes in the first place?
Almonds
Here comes another nut that's supposed to be good for you, but when you look away, it
completely switches sides - almonds. Just like cashews, almonds are considered seeds
and not nuts, and also like cashews, they can be extremely toxic. They can be so dangerous
that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made it mandatory for the seeds to go through
special heat treatment and pasteurization before being sold to avoid salmonella infection.
To be fair, though, it's not every type of almond. It's the bitter kind you should avoid
because they are full of cyanide. 50 of these bad boys is said to be a lethal dose for adults. Fortunately,
bitter almonds are pretty rare to find, so you should be good to buy your regular bag
of chocolate covered almonds.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are kind of controversial; you either love them, or you hate them. The same goes
for their edibility - they're either safe or they'll kill you in seconds. Which is why
if you ever decide to go on a "mushroom picking spree," you need to be very, very sure of
which fungi will not try to sneakily murder you, especially since many have an uncanny
resemblance to edible ones. So much so that even experts can sometimes find it hard to tell
the difference. With names like the "death cap" and "destroying angel," taking your chances
might not seem like the best of ideas. If you're unlucky enough to eat a poisonous mushroom,
it could lead to kidney, liver, or respiratory failure, and even death.
Kidney Beans
While a raw food diet can be beneficial, there are certain things that should never be part
of this trend. Like kidney beans. Cooked kidney beans are a great source of protein and fiber,
but raw? Beware of the toxicity. Kidney beans contain high levels of phytohemagglutinin
- a substance toxic to humans. If you cook them thoroughly, you should be good to go
and poison-free, but if you get a couple of undercooked beans in the mix, you might be
faced with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The FDA advises cooking the beans for at least
30 minutes to completely breakdown the toxin. As for canned kidney beans, they are pre-cooked
and should be fine to eat straight out of the tin.
Cashews
In general, nuts are advertised as good for you. While this is true for the most part,
there are some exceptions to the rule. Raw cashews, for instance. Okay, technically,
cashews are classified as seeds, but you get the idea. As it turns out, the shell that
protects cashews can be deadly since they have a coating of anacardic acid, similar
to the substance found in poison ivy. If handled incorrectly, it can burn your skin and upset
your stomach pretty badly if eaten. The only way to ensure safe consumption is to either
roast, boil, or steam the cashew first. So, if you ever find cashews growing in the wild
during your next hike, a piece of advice? Leave them be and stick to your trail mix!
Shellfish
Much like peanuts, shellfish is one of the most common and dangerous food allergies.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, shellfish allergies send
more people to the emergency room than any other food. With nearly 7 million Americans
suffering from this allergy, you need to be extremely careful and aware of what's in your
food. If you notice that your mouth itches, develop hives, or a stomach ache after eating
crab, lobster, or any other shellfish, breaking news, you might be allergic. Symptoms include
difficulty breathing, vomiting, and even possible death if untreated.
Taro
No, we're not talking about reading your future; we're talking about the starchy root vegetable
that's been growing more and more in popularity. Grown in Southeast Asia, the taro root can
be cooked various ways and can be found equally in both savory meals and sweet desserts. But,
don't be too fooled by its enticing light purple color. When it's raw, stay as far away
as you can. It contains a toxic chemical compound called calcium oxalate, and it can
cause the kind of experience you never want your body to go through. It can lead to severe kidney
stones and, in some cases, death. Since it's better to be safe than sorry, always roast,
boil, or bake your taro.
Nutmeg
Another spice, another danger. This Christmassy spice is the perfect addition to your custard
or rice pudding, but also the worst thing to eat in large quantities. A little nutmeg
is fine, but go overboard, and you could be looking at some serious psycho-active effects described
as extremely unpleasant. Nutmeg poisoning symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness,
and hallucinations, not to mention visual distortions and a sense of paranoia. Christmas
just got a little less festive. Again, a sprinkle of nutmeg in your eggnog or in your cookies
won't hurt you - just make sure you don't overdo it. Ho-ho-ho.
Rhubarb
One of the most underrated vegetables, and turns out, one of the deadliest as well, is
rhubarb. It can be used in so many great recipes like crumbles, cobblers, and pies. In other
words, it's a criminally under-appreciated delicacy. The only no-no with this one is
to never ever consume the leaves. Rhubarb's leaves contain a chemical called oxalic acid
- which is poisonous to humans. It will cause burning in the mouth and throat, breathing
difficulties, coma, and eventually death. To reach this level of toxicity, you would
need to ingest around 5 kg of the leaves, but small quantities can still lead to serious
health risks. And unlike cashews, cooking doesn’t break down any of the harmful compounds.
Cinnamon
You can put cinnamon in so many things; it truly is a multi-purpose spice. While cinnamon
isn't dangerous in your recipes per se, it can be if you decide to follow the trendy
internet games. You've probably heard of, witnessed, or even tried the cinnamon challenge
that was popular a few years back. You know, the challenge where you needed to put a spoonful
of cinnamon in your mouth and try not to choke? Well, it might be funny on camera, but in
real life? It's a whole other story. Since you're really swallowing powdered bark from the
Cinnamomum tree, it makes it impossible to swallow properly, aka - it's a choking hazard. It
can cause inflammation, scarring in your lungs, gagging, vomiting, coughing, and even possibly death.
So, next time, think about putting that spoonful in your coffee instead.
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