Toad meat – How to consume it to avoid poisoning?

Toad meat is very nutritious, but toxins in certain parts of their bodies, such as toad venom, liver, and eggs, can cause acute poisoning with a very high mortality rate.

High nutritional value….

Toads are amphibians belonging to the Bufonidae family, comprising many different species found all over the world. Toad meat is highly nutritious, even more so than beef or pork (53.37% protein, 12.66% lipids, very little carbohydrates), and is particularly rich in essential amino acids (Asparagine, Histidine, Tyrosine, Methionine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Cysteine, Threonine, etc.) and many trace elements (Manganese, Zinc, etc.). It is used as a nutritious food for the elderly; and to support and enhance nutrition after illness. It is used to support the treatment of malnourished children, those with poor appetite, stunted growth, rickets, malnutrition, skin rashes, etc., in the form of dried toad meat, powder, or fresh meat used to cook porridge or make toad patties... In traditional medicine and folk remedies, toad venom and liver are used to reduce swelling and inflammation in the form of ointments, applied externally (to undamaged skin) to treat boils, carbuncles, and swelling...

Illustrative image.

The toxin is found only in certain parts of the toad's body, such as toad venom (in the glands behind the ears, above the eyes, and on the skin), the liver, and the ovaries. Toad toxins are compounds called Bufotoxins, which include substances such as 5-MeO-DMT, Bufagin, Bufotaline, Bufogenine, Bufothionine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Serotonin. The biological effects of the toxin vary depending on its chemical structure: Bufagin affects the cardiovascular system like other cardiovascular glycosides; Bufotenine causes hallucinations; and Serotonin causes hypotension. The composition of the toxin varies depending on the toad species. The toxin enters the body through the digestive tract, causing acute poisoning. It can also be absorbed through normal skin, but can cause allergic reactions and burning sensations in the eyes and mucous membranes.

How to eat toad meat without getting poisoned?

Food poisoning caused by toad toxins occurs from eating toad meat contaminated with toxins (toad venom, liver, and gallbladder adhering to the meat) and in some cases, from eating toad liver and eggs. Symptoms of toad toxin poisoning are acute, appearing 1-2 hours after eating (possibly sooner if alcohol is consumed) with manifestations such as: bloating, upper abdominal pain accompanied by severe vomiting, possibly diarrhea; palpitations, rapid heartbeat, followed by arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation, atrioventricular block, cardiovascular collapse, initially high blood pressure then dropping; sensory disturbances (pins-and-needles pain in fingertips and toes, numbness of the lips), dizziness, hallucinations, cold sweats, increased salivation, possibly shortness of breath, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest; urinary retention, oliguria, anuria, and in severe cases, acute renal failure. If toad venom comes into direct contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, burning and edema of the mucous membranes may occur...

Poisoning from toad toxins has a very serious prognosis and a very high mortality rate, so early detection, first aid, and timely emergency treatment at medical centers are essential for effective treatment. Specifically:

- Early detection of poisoning signs (while the patient is still conscious): induce vomiting; quickly transfer the patient to a facility with resuscitation capabilities.

- Treat cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and urinary disorders with intravenous fluids, symptomatic medications, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, pacemakers, diuretics, dialysis, etc.

- Eliminating toxins: Gastric lavage, enemas, drainage...

Besides the benefits of eating toads, there are also significant risks threatening the health and lives of consumers. To prevent food poisoning from eating toad meat, only use processed toad products in the form of food or medicine that have been approved for circulation by the authorities; if you want to eat toad meat, you must remove the red-eyed toad (the one with red eyes) and prepare the toad meat according to the correct procedure (cut off the head below the two parotid glands, chop off the four feet, peel the skin in a basin of water, remove the anus, remove all intestines, eggs, liver, and gallbladder, wash thoroughly several times under clean running water), only using the meat and bones for food processing.

According to SKĐS - PC