Fruit that is still fresh is an important part of a healthy diet because it contains important minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. But some foods are very bad for you and can even cause cancer or stomach problems. In a world where food safety is becoming more important, it’s important to know what could be harmful in the fruit bowl.
Fruit that has gone bad can contain aflatoxins, a group of poisons made by some moulds. This is one of the biggest risks. Toxins like these have been linked to liver cancer and can make digestion very hard. You can’t get rid of the risk by cutting out the mouldy parts or cooking the fruit. The toxins are still there.
Be careful with the betel nut, which is another fruit that people in Asian countries often eat. Chewing betel nuts has been linked to oral cancer because they are rough and can leave small cuts in the mouth that are easy for toxins to get into. Regular use can cause long-lasting inflammation, strange cell growth, and finally cancer.
The wrong way to store tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapples, and papayas can also make them dangerous. Putting food in the fridge for a long time can change the chemicals in it, which can lead to the production of nitrites, which have been linked to stomach cancer.
Apples, which are one of the most popular foods, can also be dangerous because they are covered in wax. Natural wax coats are thought to be safe, but a lot of business companies use cheaper industrial waxes that contain heavy metals like lead and mercury. Long-term use of these apples can weaken the immune system and raise the chance of leukaemia and other blood-related cancers. Formaldehyde or ethylene gas can be used to make bananas ripen faster than they naturally would. Natural ethylene gas is safe, but industrial-grade gas often has chemicals added to it that are harmful. Formaldehyde, which is known to cause cancer, can also be used to make everything a uniform yellow colour. Children who eat bananas that have been artificially grown may hit puberty early, have stomach problems, and have a higher chance of getting blood cancers.
It’s important to be careful about what fruits you eat to lower these risks. Remember these things:
Carefully look over your fruit and avoid the ones that have mould, too much shine, or colours that don’t look natural.
Buy fresh fruit that is in season from sellers you can trust.
Before you eat the fruit, wash it well under running water.
Try not to refrigerate for too long, as it can change the chemicals in food.
If you want to avoid dangerous chemicals and toxins as much as possible, choose organic foods whenever you can.
Finally, it’s important to know that even though fresh fruit is an important part of a healthy diet, it can also be harmful. You can reduce the risks of a fruit-rich diet and still enjoy all of its benefits by making smart decisions about the fruits you eat. Don’t forget that your health is important.
