Foods containing extremely toxic substances that cause liver cancer that Vietnamese people still eat every day

That poison is aflatoxin - a mycotoxin naturally produced by some species of Aspergillus mold. This is also a common mold in agricultural products and dried foods. Some people think that when food is moldy, they just need to peel off the moldy part and eat it normally. But the truth is, the aflatoxin produced has penetrated deeply into the entire food.

Long-term exposure to high levels of aflatoxin can damage your liver tissue, leading to liver cancer. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, aflatoxin is a highly dangerous class 1 carcinogen.

It is worth mentioning that this extremely toxic carcinogen exists in many of our daily lives. Here are foods and items that contain aflatoxin:

1. Wood ear mushroom

Wood ear mushrooms contain a large amount of protein and cellulose. Although they are not toxic, over time they can degrade to produce similar biological toxins, or produce pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

2. Chopsticks

Chopsticks themselves do not develop harmful substances, but when we use bamboo or wooden chopsticks to eat foods with high starch content such as peanuts and corn. In the chopsticks' grooves, the chopsticks easily store starch, causing mold. Therefore, after about 3-6 months of use, replace with a new set of chopsticks.

3. Wooden cutting board

Like chopsticks, cutting boards are not harmful at first, but if they are not cleaned in time, the remaining food residue and moisture will become a good environment for bad bacteria to grow.

Many families use wooden cutting boards, and the cracks on them are a haven for bacteria. Use cutting boards properly: Clean the cutting board regularly and immediately after use, dry it in a dry, airy place.

If there is green mold on the surface of the cutting board, throw it away immediately and buy a new one.

4. Bitter seeds

If you eat bitter seeds, spit them out and rinse your mouth promptly, because the bitter taste of seeds such as melon seeds, sunflower seeds, etc. is aflatoxin produced during the mold process. Regular consumption will increase the risk of liver cancer.

5. Products made from beans of unknown origin

To reduce costs, some people use sesame seeds, peanuts, and even spoiled sesame seeds and peanuts to make sesame paste and peanut butter, and spoiled peanuts contain aflatoxin. And this processed product is more difficult to identify than moldy peanuts.

6. Expired rice

Don't think that you can cook rice to kill all the harmful bacteria. The truth is that rice is very susceptible to spoilage and the development of aflatoxin.

7. Moldy starchy foods

Aflatoxin is found in moldy foods, especially in foods high in starch, such as peanuts and corn. Starches contain liver carcinogens in high temperature and humid environments.

To protect your health, stay away from aflatoxin in the following ways:

- Wash your hands regularly: In addition to food, many things in life can be contaminated with aflatoxin, and washing your hands is the most basic way to stay away from the toxin.

- Try not to store food: The most effective way to avoid aflatoxin is to destroy and prevent mold from food. Do not store food for many days.

- Throw away moldy things: Be determined to throw away moldy foods, washing with water or cutting off the moldy part cannot completely destroy aflatoxin.