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Fresh vegetables and fruits cause food poisoning more often than meat products
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
Every person who leads a healthy lifestyle and monitors the diet, eagerly awaits the summer. And it is no wonder, the abundance of fresh vegetables, fruits, berries is one of the main advantages of the warm season. American scientists have reported that about 50% of food poisoning is caused by fresh fruits, seasonal vegetables and herbs. This news was unexpected for experts from the US, as seasonal fruits and vegetables have always been considered the most useful products.
Experts have found that the most dangerous to human health are greens and leafy vegetables, which are most often not subjected to heat treatment. Thus, spinach, a leafy green salad, white cabbage, contrary to the opinion of many nutritionists, can be hazardous to health. Experts believe that most food poisoning is provoked by green leafy vegetables and herbs, since they are usually eaten raw.
Potentially dangerous bacteria that are on the surface of fresh vegetables and fruits can cause harm to a person, cause food poisoning. If to compare, the poisoning caused by meat products make up only 23% of the total. Poisoning by vegetables or fruits is about 50% of the total. Doctors believe that this is due to the fact that meat often undergoes prolonged heat treatment before consumption.
The data, which is available to the staff of the American Center for the Control and Prevention of Digestive System diseases, is appalling: about 9 million people suffer from food poisoning every day. Most often poisoning causes substandard products and, as it turned out, fresh fruits, vegetables and greens. Not all cases are dangerous, often people get rid of mild pains in the stomach, diarrhea or a cut in the abdomen. Unfortunately, according to experts, poisoning with green leafy vegetables can lead to serious diseases of the digestive system or even renal failure.
The leaders of the study believe that the most dangerous vegetable is a green lettuce. Due to the fact that bacteria harmful to human health are not only on the surface of the plant, but also in the tissues of the leaves, they remain even after washing the salad. Most often in the leaves of salad, you can find an E. Coli, Salmonella, which causes an upset of the digestive system. Avoid food poisoning can only eat fresh fruits and vegetables from a trusted producer. Villagers often disinfect cultivated foods, which significantly reduces the likelihood of subsequent infection. The primary reservoirs of bacteria dangerous for the gastrointestinal tract are domestic animals, especially meat and dairy cattle. Virulent strains can cause not only indigestion, but also diseases of the genitourinary system and even meningitis in young children. Some strains may contain toxins that lead to death.
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