4 vegetables that one should never consume raw

We often tend to believe that eating raw vegetables helps gain maximum benefits and cooking them might reduce the nutritional value. Well, it might be true for some veggies, but there are veggies that, when consumed raw, might result in major health issues, leading to damage to the liver as well. In a recent video on Instagram, health and wellness expert Dimple Jangda talked about four vegetables that should never be consumed raw. According to her, they are home to parasites and bacteria like E. coli or even tapeworms and tapeworm eggs. If they enter the gut and bloodstream, or even enter the brain, they can cause serious diseases like cysticercosis, seizures, headaches, damage to the liver, and even cysts in the muscles. Hence, one should avoid consuming them raw. Scroll down to read about them.

According to Dimple, colocasia leaves, also called arbi ka patta should never be consumed raw. Always blanch them in hot water before using them in your diet. In the video she also mentioned that the same rule applies to spinach and kale. Blanche them in hot water because they’re linked to high oxalate levels, which reduces when you blanch it.

They’re notorious for harboring tapeworms and tapeworm eggs, which are invisible to the naked eye. Some of these tapeworms have survived some of the harshest insecticides and pesticides, so your vegetable washes are too mild for them, she added in the video. "Blanche your cabbage in hot water and then cook it well before you consume it", she suggests. Also, the high fiber content in raw cabbage may be hard to tolerate for those with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or sensitive stomachs, leading to cramping or diarrhea.

It often happens that people wash them and add to their salads. According to Dimple, this practice should be stopped. She states, remember to remove the crown, deseed the capsicum and run it under hot water, because the seeds can also be home to tapeworm eggs, which survive inside the fruit.

The seeds of eggplants are again home to tapeworm eggs. Remember to cook it really well to kill these parasites, tapeworms and tapeworm eggs from entering our bloodstream. In fact, aubergine is such a complex vegetable that many households in India don’t bring this vegetable at home. Hence, it is important to take extra care while cooking such vegetables. Also , raw eggplant can be hard to digest, leading to gas, bloating, or upset stomach for those with sensitive digestive systems.

According to Dimple, the way you cook food doesn’t matter much. Boiling, blanching, steaming, or regular cooking are all useful. She suggests it’s better to lightly cook food before eating. This small step can make a big difference. It’s always better to prevent than to cure.