There are 3 types of vegetables that are easily infected with parasites, be especially careful when eating them
Green vegetables are an indispensable food group in every person's daily meals. Adding more vegetables, the body will receive the necessary amount of fiber for digestion, and be provided with many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help maintain the body's vital activities.
When using vegetables, we need to pay close attention to the risk of parasitic infection. Hot and humid weather is an ideal condition for parasites, worms, and flukes to develop. They can stick to the surface of vegetables and enter the human body, causing harm to health.
`1. Raw vegetables
Raw vegetables are used a lot in daily meals, especially in the summer. Raw vegetables bring a feeling of freshness, making meals more delicious. However, this is the group of vegetables that are most susceptible to parasites. Popular raw vegetables such as lettuce, salad, pennywort, basil, etc. are all at risk of being infected with parasites. In particular, eating raw vegetables without heat treatment increases the risk of infection with worms and flukes.
During the process of planting, harvesting, and transporting, parasitic organisms can stick to the stems and leaves of vegetables. Meanwhile, not washing thoroughly will not completely remove parasites.
Cases of parasitic infection, especially roundworms, due to eating raw vegetables are not uncommon.
Raw vegetables are very susceptible to parasites. In particular, eating these vegetables directly, without cooking them at high temperatures, increases the risk of infection with parasitic organisms such as worms and flukes.
Raw vegetables are very susceptible to parasites. In particular, eating these vegetables directly, without cooking them at high temperatures, increases the risk of infection with parasitic organisms such as worms and flukes.
2. Aquatic vegetables
Vegetables grown in water such as water spinach, water celery... are at high risk of being infected with parasites, especially if these vegetables are grown in stagnant ponds or water.
The aquatic environment is a favorable condition for parasites to grow. They also spread strongly along the water flow and spread over a large area. Vegetables grown in water are susceptible to parasitic organisms, especially leaf flukes.
Therefore, before eating these vegetables, you need to make sure to wash them many times with clean water and cook them thoroughly.
3. Vegetables with leaves growing close to the ground
Leafy vegetables with leaves growing close to the ground are also at high risk of being infected with worm and fluke larvae. The leaves are close to the ground, so eggs and parasite larvae from soil and uncomposted fertilizers can easily stick to the vegetables.
Therefore, for these vegetables, you also need to wash them thoroughly and limit eating them raw. It is best to cook vegetables before eating. Temperature is the best way to kill parasites.
A body infected with parasites will encounter many problems, which can seriously affect health. Mild symptoms of parasitic infection are abdominal pain and indigestion. In more severe cases, the patient may experience symptoms such as pale skin, anemia, intestinal obstruction, liver damage, etc. For young children, physical and intellectual development may be affected.
Some notes when preparing vegetables to avoid parasitic infection Vegetables should be picked off the old roots, withered leaves, and damaged leaves. For vegetables with overlapping leaves such as mustard greens, each leaf sheath should be separated to wash away all dirt trapped inside.
When washing vegetables, you should wash them under strong running water several times to remove dirt and impurities on the stems and leaves of the vegetables. In addition, you can soak vegetables in diluted salt water for about 10-15 minutes. Then, take the vegetables out and rinse them with clean water before eating or cooking them.
As mentioned above, the best way to kill parasites is to cook vegetables at high temperatures. Therefore, prioritize using cooked vegetables and limit eating raw vegetables.
Raw vegetables, hydroponic vegetables, and vegetables with leaves growing close to the ground are at high risk of being infected with parasites. Therefore, before eating these vegetables, you need to pay attention to the preparation and processing stages.