Healthy Foods in Excess is Harmful to Health ! Everything in moderation is good.
Doctors and experts keep telling us that we
should eat less fatty foods, more vegetables and fruits, and so on. No
one, however, bothers to warn us that certain healthy foods can turn
toxic in a heartbeat if you eat too much of them. The average person
would not expect these six foods to be fatal, which is what makes them
even more dangerous. Remember - these foods are healthy in moderation,
so don’t stop eating them - just make sure you don’t overdo it.
1. Lean Meat
Animal meat is one of the best sources of
protein and vitamin B-12, and most dietitians will advise their patients
to stick to lean meat and avoid the fattier cuts. The problem is that
consuming too much animal protein causes the body to produce a hormone
called IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1). This hormone can accumulate
in the body and lead to accelerated aging and cancer. If you need to
get proteins, try balancing your diet between lean meat and legumes.
2. Oranges and Tomatoes
Both fruits are jam-packed full of vitamin C
and are often recommended because of their health benefits. While they
are indeed good for your health, overeating them can become a serious
problem. Tomatoes and oranges are highly acidic, and increased
consumption of them can lead to acid reflux. On its own, reflux is
relatively harmless, but repeated bouts will damage your esophagus and
cause Barrett’s Esophagus, which is a state where the esophagus is
covered in precancerous abrasions.
3. Spinach
This leafy green is rich in vitamins,
minerals, iron, protein, and fiber, making it an amazing addition to
your diet. Spinach is also a good source of lutein, which helps prevent
macular degeneration. “So what’s the problem?” you may be asking. The
answer is that spinach also contains high levels of oxalate, which
triggers the formation of kidney stones. If you’ve got a history of
kidney stones, you’ll want to avoid spinach.
4. Soy
The go-to meat substitute for many
vegetarians, soy, is rich in protein, helps lower cholesterol levels and
even reduces blood pressure. However, soy also has a “dark side” – it
hinders iron absorption in the body, which can quickly lead to anemia.
Furthermore, soy contains phytoestrogen, which mimics the female hormone
estrogen. Phytoestrogen can lead to endometrial hyperplasia, which can
lead to uterine cancer. Furthermore, in men, it can lead to the
development of feminine features if consumed in large quantities.
5. Canned Tuna
Canned tuna is often recommended by
dietitians and trainers as a good source of protein that's also low in
calories. But problems arise from the high mercury levels in canned
tuna. Mercury poisoning causes vision problems, speech and hearing
problems, impaired coordination, and damage to muscle tissues. In severe
cases it can be fatal, so don’t eat more than five cans a week.
6. Brazil Nuts
In moderation, Brazil nuts are small,
delicious bombs of health; rich in fiber, protein, and fatty acids. Add
to that their ability to lower cholesterol levels and reduce blood
pressure and you’ll think they make a great healthy snack. But problems
arise from the high levels of selenium in these nuts. Selenium is an
essential nutrient, but in large doses it becomes toxic. Selenium
toxicity leads to loss of hair, brittle nails, neurological damage, and
eventually death. To make sure you are not overdoing it, avoid eating
more than ten a day.
Bonus: Water
Water is the source of life. We need it to
survive and can’t go longer than three days without it or we’ll die. The
average person requires around three liters of water per day to remain
healthy and energetic. But what happens when you consume too much water?
Drinking six liters of water within a 3-hour period can lead to water
intoxication, a state where your body’s electrolyte balance is
disturbed.
“At the onset of this condition, fluid outside the cells has an
excessively low amount of sodium and other electrolytes. This causes the
cells to swell. In the brain, this swelling increases intracranial
pressure (ICP), which leads to headaches, personality changes, changes
in behavior, confusion, irritability, and drowsiness.
These are sometimes followed by difficulty breathing during exertion,
muscle weakness and pain, twitching, or cramping, nausea, vomiting,
thirst, and a dulled ability to perceive and interpret sensory
information. The cells in the brain may swell to the point where blood
flow is interrupted resulting in cerebral edema, and may also apply
pressure to the brain stem causing central nervous system dysfunction.
Both cerebral edema and interference with the central nervous system are
dangerous and could result in seizures, brain damage, coma or death.”