Microbial hazards are common where raw or undercooked meat is eaten
If you are a meat eater, this might bother you. For those who love having meat, they can develop vision issues, a study has found. While meat is definitely the best source of protein for the body, it wreaks havoc when consumed in the wrong manner.
Meat quality and cooking duration are two important factors every meat eater reading this should take care of.
What does the study say?
The study done by researchers from Flinders University, Australia, found that cat faeces and raw meat can be the carrier of Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can lead to vision loss. Retinal scarring due to this parasite is seen in every 1 in 150 Australians, the study has found.
The research team analysed retina photographs of over 5,000 participants in Western Australia. Among the 5,000 people they found prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis in 1 per 149 persons.
Infections caused by Toxoplasma affects the vision of human beings. These parasites are also transmitted from a pregnant mother to a child.
What are the common symptoms?
The common symptoms of the parasitic infection are: fever, swollen glands, pain in muscles, headache, eye floaters, swelling in liver or spleen.
In severe cases it may attack major organs of the body.
What are the other parasites found in raw meat?
Trichinella is a parasite that is present in wild animals like bear and pork products. These parasites easily come inside a human body if the person consumes undercooked or raw meat of the animal infected with it.
Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, and Taenia asiatica are the tapeworms which are seen in human beings after consuming raw beef and pork.
One can also get E.coli, giardia, flatworms, pinworms, and ascaris upon consuming undercooked meats.
When is it not safe to eat meat?
While the research study is only based on cats, this calls for attention towards the consumption of meat in the right way.
Health agencies and organisations have always warned against consumption of raw or undercooked meats as these are often carriers of harmful bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter and E. coli which are notorious for causing food poisoning.
Though it is claimed that raw meat offers several enzymes that degrade when it is cooked, the disadvantages associated with eating raw meat outnumbers the advantages.
How to prevent microbial hazards associated with raw meat?
The best ways to avoid contracting the pathogens is to have it fresh, clean it properly and cook it well.
Though some people have a liking for semi cooked meats, in this process there is a thin chance of the germs remaining potent. Therefore to avoid this microbial hazard, which has a greater risk of being transmitted to other human beings and animals as well, it is advisable to eat meat properly cooked.