Certain foods, while healthy, should not be eaten raw, as this could result in food poisoning. We explain which 5 foods you should never eat raw.
The basis for a healthy body is a balanced diet rich in important vitamins and nutrients. According to the German Society for Nutrition (DGE), this also includes a portion of raw food. Important ingredients can be lost during the cooking process. However, not every food should be eaten in its raw state, as there is a risk of poisoning. We explain which foods you should never eat raw.
5 foods you should never eat raw
- Eggplant When
cooked, eggplants are a healthy vegetable rich in vitamin C, B vitamins, and potassium. At the same time, they are ideal for a low-calorie diet due to the high water content and only 17 calories per 100 grams. However, you should never eat raw aubergines as they contain the neurotoxin solanine. This can irritate the stomach and, in the worst case, even damage the nervous system. Immature specimens contain a particularly large amount of the nerve toxin, which is why you should make sure when buying them that you choose soft aubergines. - Elderberries
Whether in jelly, jam or cake – elderberries are a treat. And not only that: They are also rich in vitamin C and important trace elements such as iron or potassium. However, caution should be exercised when consuming it. The black berries contain the toxin sambunigrin, the consumption of which can trigger symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and chills. The berries have to be heated to over 80 degrees to destroy the sambunigrin. - Chicken
And not only some types of vegetables have to be heated before consumption. The same applies to chicken meat, as this can be contaminated with salmonella, which can cause a salmonella infection. The meat can also contain Campylobacter germs, which can cause food poisoning with symptoms such as fever, diarrhea and vomiting. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), poultry meat should be sufficiently cooked – the inside should reach a temperature of at least 70 degrees. - Sprouts
Sprouts are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber, making them a healthy food. However, since they are not only rich in nutrients, but also susceptible to germs, many packaging states that they are not suitable for consumption raw. Before you eat the sprouts, you should wash them thoroughly and then blanch them. - Eggs
Just like chicken meat, eggs can also contain salmonella – for this reason, according to the BfR, the otherwise healthy food is considered “risky”. Incidentally, salmonella infections are particularly common in summer due to the high temperatures, since germs can multiply better at high temperatures. The same applies to any food that contains raw eggs, such as mayonnaise or cake batter. However, the latter is particularly dangerous in the raw state because pathogenic germs can be found in the flour.
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