From: BillK (bill@wkidston.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Wed May 07 2003 - 10:08:53 MDT
On Wed May 07, 2003 09:23 am gts quoted:
> Article excerpt:
> Do dietary lectins cause disease?
> The evidence is suggestive and raises interesting possibilities for
> treatment.
>
> In 1988 a hospital launched a "healthy eating day" in its staff
> canteen at lunchtime. One dish contained red kidney beans, and 31
> portions were served.
> At 3 pm one of the customers, a surgical registrar, vomited in
> theatre. Over the next four hours 10 more customers suffered profuse
> vomiting, some with diarrhoea.
This is a very misleading article. I thought everyone knew that kidney
beans need careful cooking. Somebody in this canteen made a big mistake.
See http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/safereating/hiddendangers/
Quote:
Red kidney beans: Dried red kidney beans contain natural toxicants
called lectins, which can cause stomach-aches and vomiting. These are
completely destroyed if you soak the dried beans for at least 12 hours
and them boil them vigorously for least 10 minutes in fresh water.
Tinned kidney beans have already had this process applied and so can be
used without further treatment.
End quote.
I do agree that this cooking might be a bit tricky for a caveman, but
we're not cavemen.
Paleo people did have to worry about other food dangers mentioned on
this page, i.e.
Apples
Mouldy or damaged apples may contain a mycotoxin called patulin,
particularly around the bruised or damaged part of the fruit.
Shellfish
Toxicants formed by algae in the sea and fresh water are called algal
toxins and shellfish such as mussels, scallops and oysters are more
prone than other fish to algal contamination.
Any toxins in the algae ingested by the fish can accumulate in their
flesh and can reach levels that are dangerous to humans.
Liver and Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential in everyone's diet but if you're pregnant and you
consume excessive amounts, your developing foetus may be harmed.
and, of course, meat that has 'gone off'. Did they have curry powder? :)
BillK
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