You should never, ever eat these foods raw

We all know that you shouldn’t eat things like raw chicken, but there are other, lesser-known foods that you should never, ever eat raw. From vegetables to grains, and everything in between, these 20 foods are best for your health when consumed cooked.




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Yuca

This South American root vegetable might contain plenty of healthy vitamins and minerals, but it also contains chemicals that turn into cyanide when ingested raw. It must be washed and rinsed thoroughly, peeled, and well cooked before consumption.




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Potatoes

Although versatile in the kitchen, the humble potato is another food that should never be eaten raw. It contains starches that are resistant to digestion, which can result in stomach bloating and pain. If a potato has turned green, it might have developed a toxin called solanine, which can cause food poisoning.




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Apple seeds

It’s a popular practice to eat the entire apple, but you really should avoid the seeds. They contain a chemical that can turn into cyanide when digested, which can make you feel very ill, although it would take a lot of seeds to have a noticeable effect for most people.




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Kidney beans

Although they are packed with protein, fibre, and antioxidants, kidney beans can cause a lot of abdominal discomfort if consumed raw. They contain the toxin phytohemagglutinin, which causes symptoms similar to food poisoning. To avoid any problems, ensure beans are boiled for at least 10 minutes before eating.




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Lima beans

Just like kidney beans, lima beans should always be thoroughly cooked before eating. They contain a compound that is released when chewed raw called cyanogenic glycoside. This helps protect them from insects and other predators, but can make humans very sick.




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Apricot pits

Like yuca and apple seeds, apricot pits contain a chemical that converts into organic cyanide when digested, which is why you should not eat them.




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Hot dogs

Admittedly, hot dogs aren’t the healthiest of foods, but if you’re going to eat them, make sure they’re fully cooked. This goes for wieners that have been “fully cooked” before packaging, as they’re still susceptible to developing Listeria bacteria.




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Eggs

Raw eggs may contain the pathogen salmonella, which can lead to food poisoning. This is why the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) only considers it safe to use raw eggs if they have been pasteurized. The elderly, pregnant women, and young children are especially vulnerable.




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Milk

Raw milk is also known as unpasteurized milk, and carries potentially harmful bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. The pasteurization process kills these bacteria, and makes it safe to consume milk. The FDA notes that raw milk is 150 times more likely to cause foodborne illnesses than other dairy products.




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Sprouts

They might be a popular salad or wrap topping, but alfalfa and radish sprouts can contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and Listeria, as they are grown in warm, wet conditions. Wash well and cook before use to help protect yourself.




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Flour

It’s not just the raw egg in that cookie dough mixture that could make you sick, it might also be uncooked flour. Research has shown that during the processes from harvest to processing and making its way to store shelves, flour may come into contact with pathogens such as E. coli, which can only be destroyed through cooking.




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Eggplant

Like green potatoes, eggplants contain the toxin solanine, which can cause intestinal distress. Some people might even find they have an allergic reaction to eating raw eggplant! Eggplants that were harvested early in their growing season contain higher levels of this compound.




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Bitter almonds

A variety of sweet almonds, bitter almonds contain a dangerous combo of hydrogen cyanide and water known as hydrocyanic acid. The Spruce notes, “As few as seven to 10 unprocessed bitter almonds can kill a child, and roughly a dozen to 70 nuts can kill a 150-pound adult.”




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Rhubarb leaves

Rhubarb leaves contain a high level of oxalic acid, which can cause kidney damage, various stomach problems, and even death in high enough doses. Stick to eating the stems, and toss the leaves in the compost heap.




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Wild mushrooms

Mushrooms are one of those foods that can be good for you, as they contain things like B vitamins and potassium, but they are not without risks. Wild mushrooms especially should be avoided, as an inexperienced hunter could misidentify a variety as safe to eat, when it is in fact poisonous.




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Taro

Both the leaves and root of this tuber can be consumed—but should always be cooked first. Raw taro contains calcium oxalate, which can cause a feeling of numbness in the mouth or choking in the throat. It also contributes to kidney stones. Wear gloves when handling, and be sure to cook thoroughly before eating.




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Castor beans

Castor beans are the source of castor oil, which many people find helpful in relieving constipation and inducing labour, but they also contain the highly toxic poison ricin. Even cooking won’t destroy the ricin in castor beans, so you should never eat this food raw or cooked.




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Pork

Eating raw or undercooked pork could result in catching one of two nasty parasites—trichinosis or pork tapeworm. Trichinosis takes up residence in the small intestine and causes stomach issues or even death. Pork tapeworm is one of the top causes of seizures worldwide. Ground pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 F (71 C), while larger cuts should be 145 F (63 C) to be safe.




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Elderberries

While many people enjoy elderberries when under the weather for their high vitamin C content, they should avoid consuming raw ones, as they may be poisonous. It’s best to boil them thoroughly before consuming.




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Rice

Even if you could get over the dry, hard crunch of eating raw rice, you really shouldn’t. A study in the International Journal of Food Microbiology found it can contain disease-causing bacteria. These bacteria aren’t usually seen in cooked rice, so it’s better to cook and properly store any leftover rice.




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