10+ Healthy Foods That Can Be Toxic to Your Body

It’s common for people to think that some foods, which are considered healthier, should be eaten without any concerns. But the truth is that there are food groups that can be both beneficial and harmful to our health. Cruciferous vegetables, like kale, can have high amounts of lead, nutmeg can cause intoxication, and couscous is so low in fiber that, depending on your diet, it can increase the fat in your body, for example.

Bright Side wants to help you identify these foods, so that you know exactly what you’re ingesting.

1. Kale

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Cruciferous vegetables, like kale, can accumulate heavy metals from the soil and some of them can have high levels of lead. If you like to add kale on your everyday diet, it’s recommended to replace it every now and then.

2. Rice cakes

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Rice cakes can be a good substitute for chips and cookies, but even though they’re low in calories, they are still a type of processed food and are lacking in vitamins and minerals. Besides that, one study also found arsenic in rice-based food.

3. Coconut oil

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Coconut oil has been marketed as a good and healthy food, but the truth is that it has more than 80% saturated fat, increasing LDL cholesterol and your chances of getting heart disease.

4. Fresh tuna

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Although rich in Omega 3, some researchers have found that fresh tuna from the Atlantic Ocean may have high levels of mercury, which can lead to poisoning.

5. Cinnamon

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Cinnamon is commonly used in teas, sweets, and as a seasoning. But one of the compounds of this spice is coumarin, which can be toxic and carcinogenic.

6. Nutmeg

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A spice that is mainly from Indonesia and India, nutmeg is well-known for its rich flavor. However, several cases of nutmeg intoxication have been reported. Overeating this nut can cause hallucinations, tachycardia, and anticholinergic effects.

7. Coffee

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Some people rely on coffee to wake up, to concentrate, or to just have a break in the middle of the day, but studies have shown that drinking it in excess can worsen osteoarthrosis, arthropathies, and obesity.

8. Couscous

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Because it’s low in fiber, if couscous is combined with a high-fat diet, it can increase fat mass and obesity. Couscous also has high levels of carbohydrates, which can cause a spike in blood sugar. If you have diabetes or a tendency to have it in the future, it’s recommended to avoid these types of foods.

9. Smoked salmon

A product of water pollution and the smoking process, smoked salmon is reported to have high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can have toxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic properties.

10. Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented drink that is in vogue for its proven health benefits. But at the same time, there have been some kombucha intoxication and kidney failure incidents reported after drinking it, leading to having the recommended consumption of kombucha be approximately 114 g.

11. Potatoes

Fried, boiled, or mashed potatoes, it doesn’t matter the way you eat them, but if you come across a green potato, it’s better to pass on that or peel the green away entirely. This type of tuber has a high concentration of glycoalkaloids, a toxic compound that can lead to nausea and vomiting.

12. Mango

If you have a history of poison ivy allergies, it’s better to stay away from mangoes. They both have the same substance that can lead to itching, red skin, hives, and blisters.

Did you already know these foods could be bad for you? Have you ever experienced any issues after eating them? Let us know!