8 Common Foods That Can Be Toxic

Believe it or not, there are a plenty common foods in your average kitchen that can be potentially toxic and deadly. If you are not careful enough, many foods that often taste delicious can post a threat to your health. Here are the 8 foods you probably eat all the time that, however, could be poisonous if you eat them in excess. Be cautious to approach.

1. Almonds

Almonds come in two varieties - sweet and bitter - and the one you need to watch out for is the bitter. When eaten in their raw form, bitter almonds contain cyanide, and a lot! Not too much, just a few handfuls of raw almonds can be deadly to you. They need to go through a specialized heat treatment (more than just your DIY oven roasting) in order to remove the toxins.

2. Kidney beans

Raw red kidney beans contain a toxin called phytohemagglutinin. To remove it, the beans must be boiled for at least 30 minutes before eating, and if the toxin is not removed before eating, eating just a handful of these raw beans can lead to symptoms inclduing severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

3. Honey

Did you know that raw honey can be detrimental to children or pregnant women? Removing toxins called pyrrolizidine alkaloids in honey’s case is a process to avoid getting into danger. Consuming unpasteurized honey more than one teaspoon could lead to severe nausea, dizziness, headaches, or even death in young children or pregnant women.

4. Cashews

Their shells are lethal and have a layer of anacardic acid that can burn your skin and upset your stomach if not handled properly. Additionally, cashews must be cooked or steamed before eating because they contain urushiol in their raw form, a chemical also present in poison ivy that can be fatal if eaten in large enough quantities. So if you see wild-growing cashews, don't eat them.

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes were once nicknamed "the poison apple" in the 1700s. Tomato itself is safe to eat. But their stem and leaves are the toxic plant you should not eat. Tomato leaves contain an alkaloid toxin called tomatine, which can result in digestive and nervous system issues.

6. Potatoes

Both of potatoes and tomatoes belong to the nightshade family, they contain a poison called solanine. Potatoes can be dangerous when it’s ready to sprout and turn into greenish. Stay away from green or sprouted, because they could put you in a coma.

7. Cherries pits

Cherry pits contain compounds that can release cyanide, accidentally consumption will lead to fever, headaches, and nausea. Swallowing the pits whole? Don’t panic, it isn’t dangerous but they should never be chewed or crushed up before ingesting.

8. Water

Believe it or not. Overconsumption of water can lead to water intoxicant, which occurs when too much intake of water dilutes the sodium in the blood, and may lead to impaired brain function and even death. But don’t let it be an excuse, drinking enough water every day is still an important thing.