Some healthy meals can have harmful bugs in them if you don’t cook them properly.
Some parasites that can get into the body and create a wide range of health problems are amoebas, dysentery organisms, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. These problems can range from moderate digestive troubles to serious infections and organ damage.
You can lower the hazards by cleaning up and cooking food all the way through.
Be careful with these eight common foods:
Eels 1.
Eels like to live in calm waters, which are great places for parasites to flourish. There is a good chance that golden eels will get sick. As many as half of them may have harmful germs during mating season. These eels can have more than 15 different parasites living in them, such as roundworm and tapeworm larvae.
Roundworm larvae can get into the body and go to the eyes, where they can damage vision. On the other hand, tapeworms can quickly get to important organs and even the brain.
To be safe, wash and boil for at least 4 to 5 minutes before eating.
2. Snails
Snails are a preferred food, and they live in marshes and ponds, where they could have parasites. One snail can hold up to 3,000 Angiostrongylus cantonensis roundworms, which is a big concern.
If you consume these larvae, they could travel into your brain and give you headaches, fever, stiff necks, and, in very rare situations, meningitis or memory loss.
Always soak, wash, and boil snails carefully to keep safe.
3. Meat and buffalo that is raw or not fully cooked
Buffalo and cattle are wonderful providers of protein and other nutrients, however their muscles, heart, and diaphragm can also include beef tapeworm larvae (Cysticercus). These larvae turn into worms that cling to the inside of the intestines and can grow to be 4 to 10 meters long.
Some health problems are damage to the intestines, not getting enough food, losing weight, anemia, and stomach pain that lasts a long time.
Parasites will die if you cook meat all the way through.
4. Snakes and frogs in the wild
If you eat these animals uncooked or undercooked, you could also get tapeworm larvae from them. The blood can carry these larvae to the brain.
At 100°C (212°F), boil the beef for at least two minutes to be safe.
5. Fish that hasn’t been cooked
Liver flukes are common in fish that isn’t fully cooked or is raw. These can cause big problems such liver abscesses, gallbladder infections, and bile duct obstructions.
Tip: Always cook fish all the way through to kill any parasites.
6. Shrimp and crab that are not cooked
Lung flukes can be found in several kinds of seafood. When the parasites get into the body, they stay in the lungs. People who have this disease may cough for a long time, get respiratory infections, and sometimes cough up blood.
For safety’s sake, don’t eat raw foods that have been fermented or soaked in vinegar. Make sure to cook all the way through.
7. Chestnuts in water
A lot of people consume water chestnuts raw. They can grow in wet places and spread bacteria and parasites.
Be careful when peeling or cooking hot foods like soups and stir-fries.
8. Water Caltrops
These plants do well in muddy rice fields because they obtain a lot of nutrients there, but they also get dirty easily.
Tip for safety: Before using it in recipes, boil it for at least 15 seconds.
Last Reminder
These foods are good for you and taste delicious, but if you don’t cook them properly, parasites might get you sick. Always:
Make sure to wash the ingredients well.
Cooking at a high temperature
Do not eat shellfish or meat that is still raw or not fully cooked.
Make sure the kitchen is clean and safe.
Putting food safety first is the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from fatal diseases.