{"id":199,"date":"2025-08-02T12:09:47","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T12:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/?p=199"},"modified":"2025-08-02T12:09:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T12:09:48","slug":"the-worlds-deadliest-food-claims-over-200-lives-every-year-yet-nearly-500-million-people-still-eat-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/?p=199","title":{"rendered":"The \u2018world\u2019s deadliest food\u2019 claims over 200 lives every year, yet nearly 500 million people still eat it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cassava is a starchy root vegetable that serves as a daily staple for nearly half a billion people<\/strong>, particularly across Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. But despite its popularity, cassava holds a deadly secret \u2014 if prepared incorrectly, it can release cyanide<\/strong> and kill within hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Is Cassava Dangerous?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides<\/strong>, natural compounds that can produce hydrogen cyanide<\/strong> \u2014 a toxic chemical \u2014 when the plant is chewed or digested. The bitter varieties, often consumed in areas with food insecurity, contain especially high levels of these toxins<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When improperly prepared \u2014 either by skipping steps like soaking, fermenting, drying, or thorough cooking<\/strong> \u2014 cassava can cause acute cyanide poisoning<\/strong>, leading to symptoms such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Nausea and vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Dizziness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Difficulty breathing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Seizures<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • And in severe cases, death<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    In fact, it\u2019s estimated that cassava poisoning causes over 200 deaths each year<\/strong>, often in regions with limited access to clean water or proper food-processing tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why Do People Still Eat It?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Despite the risk, cassava remains essential because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • It\u2019s cheap<\/strong> and drought-resistant<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • It can grow in poor soils<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • It provides critical calories and carbs for families facing food insecurity<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      For many, the choice isn\u2019t about preference \u2014 it\u2019s about survival<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Safe to Eat \u2014 If You Know How<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      When properly processed<\/strong>, cassava is safe and can even be made into:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Tapioca<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Cassava flour<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Chips, breads, and stews<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Governments and health organizations continue to educate communities<\/strong> on safe preparation methods to reduce the risk of poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Bottom Line<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Cassava is a lifesaving crop<\/strong> in many parts of the world \u2014 but if mishandled, it can turn into a silent killer. Awareness and education are the keys to turning this deadly plant into a safe and valuable source of nutrition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Cassava is a starchy root vegetable that serves as a daily staple for nearly half a billion people, particularly across Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. But… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=199"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":200,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/199\/revisions\/200"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsbreeze.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}