Foods That Can Be Dangerous If You Eat Too Much of Them
We are living in a time where many food
products are contaminated with toxic chemicals. It is hence more
important than ever to be careful about what we eat. Many of us are
going for well-balanced diets consisting of the healthiest of fruits,
vegetables, and drinks. While eating healthy foods rich in vitamins and
minerals is, of course, good, even the healthiest of foods can be too
much of a good thing. Noted health experts say that some foods, despite
being healthy overall, can be seriously harmful when taken in large
amounts.
Today, we will look at a few nutritious
foods that can harm you if you overdose on them.
1. Tuna
Tuna is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and a great source of
protein. However, tuna also tends to be contaminated by something called
methylmercury due to pollution in the oceans. Increased exposure to
mercury may lead to fertility problems, high blood pressure, heart
disease, and impaired brain development in children. Thankfully, several
brands these days have come up with sustainably fished tuna with strict
mercury limits. You can opt for those if you can’t resist having tuna
regularly.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is the favorite of many and this delicious spice is also known
to have several medicinal properties. While small to moderate amounts of
cinnamon are perfectly fine, eating too much of it can cause some
health problems. Cinnamon is high in antioxidants, but it also contains
high amounts of a compound called coumarin. Large doses of it can harm
our body.
According to health experts, the acceptable daily intake of coumarin is
0.1 mg per kg of body weight. Taking more than this on a regular basis
raises the risk of liver toxicity and cancer. Of the two types of
cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon contains less coumarin. While you can consume 5
grams (1 teaspoon) of Ceylon cinnamon per day, the recommended daily
intake of Cassia cinnamon is 0.5–2 grams.
3. Spinach
Spinach is often regarded as one of the healthiest vegetables out there.
While this leafy green offers a plethora of good nutrients, it can also
harm our body if we go overboard with it. Spinach is high in fiber and
takes time to get digested. Eating too much of it may cause bloating and
cramps since our body will take time to digest the excessive load of
spinach and won’t be able to metabolize it quickly.
Furthermore, spinach is a high oxalate food which may form calcium
oxalate stones in the kidneys if we consume it in excessive amounts.
Also, the oxalic acid in spinach forms tiny crystals that do not
dissolve in water. This may result in our teeth getting gritty and
coarse. Most dietitians say that a bowl of spinach with lunch and dinner
is fine but remember not to over-stuff yourself with it.
4. Almonds
How can almonds be bad for health, right?
After all, they are highly nutritious and rich in healthy fats,
antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. But consuming almonds in excess
can lead to toxicity in your body. That’s because they contain
hydrocyanic acid and too much of it can cause breathing problems,
nervous breakdowns, and choking. Moreover, like spinach, almonds are
also high in oxalates, and hence kidney stones may be a problem with
them, too, if there is an over-consumption of it.
Also, lest we forget, almonds are the highest-fiber nut and too much of
them inside our body can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. To be on the
safe side, it would be best to stick to an average serving size of one
ounce (28.3 gm) of almonds per day. One ounce of almonds, or about 23
almond nuts, is the ideal daily portion recommended by the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans.
5. Carrots
Carrots are full of beta-carotene, a
molecule that transforms into vitamin A when digested. While a limited
amount of beta-carotene is very healthy for our body, an extravagant
amount could lead to various issues. The beta-carotene can build up in
the blood and can cause carotenemia, a condition that turns your skin
yellowish.
Infants generally are more at risk of this condition since they're often
fed pureed carrot baby food. However, adults can get it as well if they
eat too many carrots. According to Columbia University, if you are
eating three large carrots a day, you are exposing yourself to the risk
of carotenemia.
6. Kombucha
Kombucha has captured the imagination of
countless fitness fanatics in recent times. The Chinese drink has been
touted to have an abundance of digestive benefits and is said to feed
beneficial gut bacteria. This has caused many people to overdose on this
drink. You should be warned, however, that kombucha is a high FODMAP
food and contains byproducts of yeast fermentation that can cause
bloating and digestive distress if taken in excessive quantities, .
More significantly, though, drinking too much kombucha can lead to
excess sugar and caloric intake. Kombucha is also unpasteurized and
contains small amounts of caffeine and alcohol. People with weakened
immune systems, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people who are
sensitive to caffeine should hence be cautious while drinking kombucha.
Ideally, one to two servings of kombucha per day is considered safe
enough to enjoy its health benefits without causing any harm to the
body.
7. Avocado
Avocados are all the rage right now and for
good reason. They a good source of healthy unsaturated fat and
antioxidants and are high in fiber and potassium. These pear-shaped
fruits can also help you lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and maintain your
cells due to their high content of monosaturated fat. That being said,
since avocados are high in fiber, having excessive amounts of them can
cause uncomfortable side effects like bloating, gas, and cramping. Also,
too much potassium can cause symptoms of fatigue, chest pain, and even
heart palpitations in people with heart or kidney conditions.
An average avocado packs about 250 calories and between 20 and 25 grams
of fat. Eating them every single day can increase the calories and fat
content in your body too. Dietitians recommend eating half or 1 avocado a
day.
8. Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are a good source of healthful
fats, protein, fiber, and selenium. Now, selenium is a trace mineral our
body only needs in small amounts. Eating too many Brazil nuts can
result in selenium toxicity which can lead to brittle hair and nails,
along with gastrointestinal and neurological issues, kidney failure,
heart attack, or even death in extreme cases.
The average person only needs 55 micrograms of selenium per day while
one Brazil nut contains 95 micrograms of this mineral. Thus, as
nutritious and tasty as they are, it’s recommended that you eat these
nuts only occasionally.