What food is the deadliest for us? Scientists have provided an answer (with photo).

Food plays a crucial role in our lives, but sometimes what we consume can be deadly. Generally, we try to steer clear of anything that poses a life-threatening risk. But which foods are the most lethal that people eat on a daily basis? The answer varies depending on how we define it, as noted by Live Science.

The deadliest food could be defined as that which causes the most fatalities. In this case, foods that trigger allergies or chronic illnesses might top the list. Alternatively, the most deadly food could be one that is toxic and kills the most people, or one that is fatal even in small amounts. If we limit the list to potentially toxic foods, candidates for the deadliest food in the world would include items from the plant, animal, and fungal kingdoms.

According to toxicologist Justin Brower, poisonous foods are typically classified into two categories: those that are life-threatening but can be safe when properly prepared, and dangerous foods that are mistakenly considered safe.

Casava

A food that is hazardous to consume raw is cassava (Manihot esculenta). This plant is a primary source of carbohydrates for people living in the tropical regions of our planet. The issue is that the roots and leaves of cassava contain toxins known as cyanogenic glycosides, which break down into cyanide and can cause paralysis and even death.

Despite this, many people around the world continue to eat cassava after it has been peeled, boiled, or dried, according to Brower. At the same time, the consumption of cassava results in over 200 deaths annually, with thousands of individuals permanently disabled due to lower levels of cyanide poisoning.

Fugu

In the animal kingdom, the deadliest food is fugu, a dish made from several species of toxic fish from the Tetraodontidae family, primarily consumed in Japan. These fish contain the poison tetrodotoxin.

Tetrodotoxin can cause numbness or paralysis almost immediately and can lead to respiratory failure within just 20 minutes. It is believed that tetrodotoxin is 1200 times more toxic than cyanide, with a minimal lethal dose estimated at 2–3 milligrams. As a result, this food is banned in many countries around the world.

In Japan, chefs must have a license to prepare fugu. They are trained to clean the fish and remove its organs, particularly the liver and intestines, which are the most toxic parts.

Tens of people fall ill each year due to improper preparation of pufferfish, but only a few of them die.

Death Cap

The list of the deadliest foods in the world would be incomplete without a representative from the fungal kingdom. According to Brower, the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for approximately 90% of mushroom-related deaths.

Natives to Europe, the death cap has spread worldwide as an invasive species. Because this mushroom closely resembles the common mushroom (Agaricus campestris), it is the cause of many poisonings. Symptoms of death cap poisoning appear within six to twelve hours and may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Within a few days, a person who has consumed half a death cap or more may develop liver or kidney failure, leading to death. Even cooking or baking the death cap does not destroy all its toxins.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not contain advice that may affect your health. If you are experiencing issues, consult a specialist.