7 vegetables one should never consume raw

What happens when you consume these veggies raw

In the age of social media, where cooking oil is often portrayed as a culprit and eating raw vegetables has become a trend, there lies a line of risk that can impact human health in many ways. Eating raw vegetables helps gain maximum benefits and cooking them might reduce the nutritional value, but this rule doesn't apply well with some veggies. There are veggies that when consumed raw, might result in major health issues, leading to damage of the liver as well. In a recent video on Instagram, health and wellness expert Dimple Jangda talked about vegetables that should never be consumed raw. According to her, they are home to parasites and bacteria like E. coli or even tapeworms and tapeworm eggs. If they enter the gut and bloodstream, or even enter the brain, they can cause serious diseases like cysticercosis, seizures, headaches, damage to the liver, and even cysts in the muscles. Hence, one should avoid consuming them raw. Scroll down to read about them.

Colocasia leaves

According to Dimple, colocasia leaves, also called arbi ka patta shou

ld never be consumed raw. Always blanch them in hot water before using them in your diet. In the video she also mentioned that the same rule applies to spinach and kale. Blanche them in hot water because they’re linked to high oxalate levels, which reduces when you blanch it.

Cabbage

They’re notorious for harboring tapeworms and tapeworm eggs, which are invisible to the naked eye. Some of these tapeworms have survived some of the harshest insecticides and pesticides, so your vegetable washes are too mild for them, she added in the video. "Blanche your cabbage in hot water and then cook it well before you consume it", she suggests.

Capsicum/ Bell Peppers

It often happens that people wash them and add to their salads. According to Dimple, this practice should be stopped. She states, remember to remove the crown, deseed the capsicum and run it under hot water, because the seeds can also be home to tapeworm eggs, which survive inside the fruit.

Eggplant

The seeds of eggplants are again home to tapeworm eggs. Remembe

r to cook it really well to kill these parasites, tapeworms and tapeworm eggs from entering our bloodstream. In fact, aubergine is such a complex vegetable that many households in India don’t bring this vegetable at home. Hence, it is important to take extra care while cooking such vegetables.

Bitter Gourd

Also known as karela, they can irritate the stomach and may cause nausea, diarrhoea, or hypoglycemia in sensitive individuals. As per experts, cooking them with spices reduces the harsh compounds and bitterness.

Mushrooms

As per experts, store-bought white mushrooms—contain toxins and tough fibers that are poorly digested when raw. Cleaning them and cooking them properly improves nutr
ient absorption and kills harmful microbes.

How to cook them right

According to Dimple, it doesn't matter what cooking methods you use-boiling, blanching, steaming, or cooking. They all are helpful. She warns, please ensure to cook your foods at least lightly before you consume them. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.

All Images Courtesy: istock

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is meant for general knowledge only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new routine.