In particular, many people enjoy eating certain vegetables raw, which increases the risk of parasitic infections.

Ms. Trương, 27 years old from China, experienced this situation. She especially liked eating raw arrowhead, as she found it crunchy and sweet, and it was convenient to eat raw. However, two years ago, she started feeling a dull pain in her upper abdomen. Initially, she didn’t pay much attention, thinking it was just a common digestive issue. Over time, however, the pain became more frequent and intense.

Eventually, she had to go to the hospital. After an examination, the doctor removed two live intestinal flukes from her body. At that moment, she realized that her long-standing habit of eating raw arrowhead was the cause of her parasitic infection.

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Why can vegetables also contain parasites?

Parasites and raw vegetables often share the same environment, making it easy for parasite eggs to attach to the vegetables. The processes of fertilizing, watering, and spraying pesticides can cause vegetables to become contaminated with parasites, disease-causing bacteria, or chemical residues. Especially when vegetables are watered with fresh manure from humans or livestock, they are more likely to be contaminated with parasites and their eggs.

Additionally, during storage and transportation, vegetables can collide, spreading parasites from one vegetable to another.

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3 Types of Vegetables That Are "Parasite Breeding Grounds"

Arrowhead: A plant that grows underwater, usually found in shallow fields, ponds, or swamps. The surface of the root is easily contaminated with parasites, particularly intestinal flukes. Eating it raw can lead to diseases caused by intestinal flukes, with symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The flukes parasitize the small intestine, absorbing nutrients and causing malnutrition, anemia, and edema.

Parasite-Prone Vegetables and Their Health Impacts

Some vegetables may contain parasites if not properly cleaned, processed, and cooked. Here are the vegetables to be cautious about:

• Arrowhead: A water plant that typically grows in muddy areas, serving as a habitat for intestinal flukes. The outer surface of the arrowhead is prone to carrying parasites or their eggs. Eating it raw or biting into the skin can easily lead to infection. Once inside the body, the parasites reproduce in the intestines, causing stomach pain, diarrhea, and indigestion.

• Lotus Root: Grows in the muddy bottom of ponds and is prone to containing parasites like schistosomes and intestinal flukes. Eating raw lotus root can lead to parasites attaching to the intestinal lining, causing damage and ulcers, which result in diarrhea, stomach pain, and digestive disorders. The mud on the lotus root can also contain bacteria and parasites, so it needs to be thoroughly cleaned and cooked well before consumption.

How Parasites Affect the Body

When parasites enter the body, they dwell and reproduce in various organs, consuming the body’s nutrients and leading to malnutrition. Some of the effects of parasites include:

• Stomach pain, diarrhea, and digestive issues: For example, intestinal flukes can live in the small intestine, causing symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, and indigestion. In severe cases, they can lead to anemia, edema, and hinder physical development.

• Inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining: Parasites cause inflammation, which damages the intestinal lining, affecting digestion and overall health.