10 Common Foods That Can Actually Kill You

Recently I was shooting some videos with my team and casually mentioned that apple seeds contained cyanide. The guys were blown away by this and had no idea that eating a high volume of crushed apple seeds could be poisonous, so it got me thinking, what other unexpected foods pose dangers to your health if not prepared properly? Today we talk about the risks of apple seeds, puffer fish or fugu, raw cashews, potato eyes and green potatoes, lychee, elderberries, rhubarb, red kidney beans, castor oil seeds or beans, and nutmeg. There are proper ways to grow and prepare all of these foods to reduce the risk of complications, so make sure you’re always aware of where your food comes from and how it’s made! Did any of these surprise you?

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-Doctor Mike Varshavski

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* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[Klaein]

I like how he smiles enthusiastically while talking about things that can kill you

[lifu._]

I remember being scared as a child when people would tell me if I ate apple seeds, I would grow apples inside me. I never ate them and now I don’t even like apples. They did a good job scaring me.

[Ricimer]

A friend was killed by potato chips, he was run over by a Lays delivery truck.

[israelvazquez]

| had colon Cancer and at my most desperté point I read in the internet one of those holistic pages that Apple and pear seeds were useful to kill cancer cells. I did eat apple seeds and pear seeds(not many) but when I talk with my doctor she was horrified and told me exactly what was mentioned here. Thank you for helping and clarifying all of those health myths. I am cancer free now I am a very rational person but sometimes desperation makes you do stupid things.

[charlotteboucherbeaulieu]

There was an incident here in Quebec last week about elderberries. A pretty popular company of ready-to-prepare smoothies sold a new recipe of smoothies with raw elderberries. A lot of people were sick, including pregnant ladies. The company offered a small discount for the next purchase in compensation. People were so mad! They appeared to be so healthy and nutritive, but they lost a lot of customers because of that because they weren't able to do proper research before making this recipe.

[nekk-ra]

As someone mildly allergic to poison ivy, it was enlightening to learn cashews come from the same family of plants and explained why my digestive system reacted poorly to eating them. It was also unfortunate, because I love cashews and have to severely limit the amount I eat for obvious reasons.

[TheStrapafainer]

i've been suffering from calcium oxalate kidney stones the last 10 years of my life, i would be so thankfull for a video about how to avoid them!

[crystallphillipss]

Thank you for the information Dr Mike.

[selenanieto]

The apple one was interesting. I knew apple seeds if consumed in high quantities can cause cyanide poisoning, but I thought the apples itself had it. However our body breaks down the chemical into cyanide. Cool fun fact. Anyways, back to biochem homework.

[lonelysimp]

As someone who suffers from nearly daily hallucinations, they are no joke. Don't allow yourself to get them from food or lack of sleep, it's really difficult to fall out of.

[locasiare]

Wow 🫣 Thank you so much for sharing this very important information Doctor Mike 🙏🏼

[magretomondi]

eThank you so much Doc for opening our minds. it's pleasure to get such a kind & good Dr like you.. keep up of good job

[anasazidarkmoon]

I live in the South, so red kidney beans are practically a staple here, but seeing them on this list actually reminded me of something that I saw in the news. A few years back, there was a local pharmacy that kept getting broken into by addicts looking for Lortabs. To fight back, the family who owned/operated the place hid their actual supply, but filled the bottles with red kidney beans. I don't know if the thieves ever actually poisoned themselves with the beans, or even if they got caught, but the break-ins stopped.

[DoctorAzmain]

As doctors, we tell our patients: foods are safe in moderation, and dangerous in excess! Although those rarer things like polar bear liver or incorrectly prepared pufferfish can be dangerous even in tiny amounts!

[Syedaish]

This is the first time I have come to your channel I liked this video so much that I have subscribed to the channel

[Georgia-qoju]

When I was growing up, I was taught that the pits to fruit are poisonous. Peach/cherries/plums etc. I also learned that apple/pear seeds contained cyanide so it was partially right. So I don't eat hard seeds, except pomegranates.

[ozonebros]

He is the only guy who is so happy while telling us that our regular food eating a little wrong is our death

[mixme]

New subscriber always watching your videos Doctor very helpful❤

[vemsedivertircomaclara]

Thank you so much for warning us mike thank you

[penguinslipperstm]

I actually learned about those foods my freshman year of high school when I took a kitchen chemistry course. It taught me some great stuff like foods that are toxic if improperly prepared, as well things like how antifreeze needs bitter agents added to prevent people from drinking it due to the extreme sweet taste of it.