WHY SOME PLANTS ARE BAD FOR US

The rise in veganism and vegetarianism has left many people believing that a plant-based diet is the healthiest option. In reality, however, plants contain a variety of potentially harmful toxins.

Whilst some plants are capable of causing death within minutes, others have a slower and less pronounced effect. Despite this, they still have the potential to cause long-term health problems when consumed regularly.

5 A DAY | PLANT TOXINS | LECTINS | PHYTATES | SOY | OXALATES | GLYCOALKALOIDS | SULFORAPHANES | PHYTOCHEMICALS

Where did the Government recommendations of 5-a-Day come from?

Did you know that the most widely known nutritional advice of eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day is completely made up and isn't based on any sound science or nutritional research?

It came from a 1991 meeting in California. Members of that meeting include the American National Cancer Institute (ANCI), the Produce for Better Health Foundation and 25 major fruit and vegetable companies.

There wasn't a single scientist or nutritionist at the meeting and the main agenda was logistics, not health. How to get more fruit and veg to the consumer, not how to make people healthier.

In that same year, the ANCI began The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer study and 30 years later they published their results:

Just in case you're reading this on your phone...

The possibility that fruit and vegetables may help to reduce the risk of cancer has been studied for over 30 years, but no protective effects have been firmly established"

In all of their 30 years of research, they found no protective effects. Their announcement did not reach mainstream media.

Then why would institutions at a government level push a plant based diet if there's no evidence to suggest it's healthy? That doesn't make sense?

A possible explanation: Because plant foods make money. Lot's of money:

• Fertilisers to nourish the ground
  Industry valued at approximately $200 billion
• Pesticides to keep bugs off
  Industry valued at approximately $215.2 billion
• Huge machines to harvest
  Industry valued at approximately $94.5 billion
• Huge factories to process and store
  Industry valued at approximately $2.4 trillion
• Insane amounts of plastic to package
  Industry valued at approximately $412 billion
• Massive transport systems = money
  Industry valued at approximately $160 billion
• Electricity for almost every aspect of the system
  The largest contributor to global emissions
• Healthcare to treat sick people
  Industry valued at approximately $2.2 trillion

Whereas food from local ruminant animals require:

• Fields for them to feed
• Zero pesticides or fertilisers
• No huge machinary
• Very little factory and processing units
• Very small transport systems
• Way less energy
• Even less healthcare

Don't get me wrong. I don't think the government is conspiring to make everyone spend more money and make everyone sick. It's likely just the case that decisions were made and people did what people do. Figure out how to make money off of the back of those decisions.

Maybe we need plant foods because there isn't enough animal food to feed everyone? The number of animals needed your average human is one cow per year. One cow has around 440,000 calories (not including organs).

Include the organs and you meet every nutritional requirement a human needs. Coincidence? It might be time to research how a human holds up on the carnivore diet.

The Secret Life of Plants

Unlike animals, which have feet to run, teeth, claws and horns to protect themselves, plants have very little in the way of physical defenses.

So plants have developed a variety of chemical defense mechanisms too. Ever been stung by a nettle or been struck by poison ivy? The subsequent pain and discomfort are those chemicals in action. 

So, what’s this got to do with the fruit and vegetables we put on our plate? 

We don’t eat plant foods that we know cause an immediate and severe reaction. Poisonous mushrooms and deadly foxglove don’t feature in our diet because we know they’ll cause us harm. 

However, the plant food we do consumes can also cause us harm. While they may not pose such an immediate risk, this doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily good for us. They’re still using all of their chemical might to dissuade us from destroying the plant and eating it. 

The result? A cornucopia of chemicals, proteins, and acids which can damage our sensitive digestive system upset our delicate hormonal balance and prevent the release of critical neurotransmitters.

health dangers of lectins

You’ll find lectins in most plants, although they are particularly high in volume in potatoes, beans, tomatoes, eggplants, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts, goji berries, chilies and bananas.

Lectins are a type of protein, but not necessarily the kind you associated with muscle gain and fat loss. In fact, lectins adhere to cell membranes within the digestive tract.

Used by plants to keep insects away, it’s also believed the lectins can cause red blood cells to cluster together in humans.

The most noticeable effect on lectins may occur when they’re eaten raw, as their impact on the digestive system can cause an upset stomach. As many lectin-rich vegetables are eaten raw, particularly in salads, this can lead to further complications.

Red kidney beans are just one example of the dangers of lectins. The U.S. FDA warns that consuming just four raw or undercooked red kidney beans is enough to cause severe illness, whilst excess consumption can have serious health risks.

Whilst cooking lectin-rich foods at a high temperature can minimize the risk they pose, this may not be enough to prevent unwanted side effects from occurring. As lectins are believed to be ‘antinutrients’, they can affect the body’s absorption of key vitamins and minerals, which can lead to a whole host of health problems.

health dangers of phytic acid

Nuts, grains, and legumes are high in phytic acid, which binds certain minerals together.

Predominantly affecting zinc, magnesium, iron, and calcium, eating a diet rich in phytic acid could contribute to anemia, zinc deficiency, magnesium deficiency and hypocalcemia. 

Various health issues and symptoms can arise from low levels of these essential minerals, including:

• Muscle cramps
  
• Hallucinations
• Depression
• Brittle hair and nails
• Weak bones
• Tingling in the hands and feet
• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Muscle twitches
• Fatigue

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
  

• Irregular heartbeat
• Asthma
• Osteoporosis
• High blood pressure
• Hair loss
• Diarrhea
• Skin lesions
• Impaired immune function
• Pale skin
• Weakness
• Chest pain
• Headaches

With so many health issues associated with a high intake of phytic acid, it’s easy to see why so many people choose a diet that limits consumption or avoids it completely.

health dangers of soy

Many people who avoid dairy products replace with soy alternatives. However, there are concerns over the impact soy can have on your health, particularly on hormone production and regulation.

One study carried out by the Harvard School of Public Health in 2008 found that sperm count declined for men who ate an average of half a serving of soya foods a day, with the effect being particularly prevalent in participants who were overweight and obese.

Soy is also associated with digestive issues, malnutrition, thyroid problems, reproductive disorders, cognitive issues, heart disease, and even cancer, it’s clear that soy is not the wonder food many claimed it to be.

Although soy contains various chemicals that can affect your health and reduce vitamin absorption, it is its photo-estrogenic properties which are, perhaps, most concerning. By mimicking estrogen, it affects the body’s natural production of the hormone which can impact your endocrine function. Many believe this is why soy has been linked to increased risks of breast cancer and fertility problems.

health dangers of oxalates

Most plants contain oxalates, so you’ll find them hard to avoid if you consume any type of fruit or vegetables. However, the following foods are particularly high in oxalates:

• Cashew nuts
  
• Spinach
• Almonds
• Miso
• Baked potatoes with skin
• Rhubarb
• Beets

Many of the oxalates you consume will bind to calcium within the digestive system. Those that don’t, however, travel to the kidneys, where they can contribute to the development of kidney stones.

In fact, it’s estimated that at least 8 out of 10 kidney stones consist of oxalates. As well as being incredibly painful in themselves, kidney stones increase the risk of kidney infection, which could lead to sepsis if untreated.

health dangers of glycoalkaloids

Defined as neurotoxin enzyme inhibitors, glycoalkaloids can have numerous unwanted effects on the body. In high quantities, glycoalkaloids can impact the nervous system and even lead to convulsions, paralysis, respiratory arrest and even death. 

Potatoes are notably high in glycoalkaloids, although they are present in a variety of other plant foods, including tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Due to the dangers associated with certain glycoalkaloids, such as solanine, the U.S. even regulates how much can be present in the potatoes which are sold for consumption.

However, even minimal doses can cause unwanted health issues. Whilst the imposed limit may help to prevent the worst consequences, you could still suffer from nausea, diarrhea, malabsorption, and malaise when you consume foods rich in glycoalkaloids.

health dangers of Sulforaphane

If you eat plant foods, chances are you’re going to consume cruciferous vegetables on a regular basis. Kale, cauliflower, broccoli, radishes, Brussel sprouts, and arugula are all examples, although there are many more. 

Although most people assume that cruciferous vegetables are good for you, they contain numerous chemicals that can harm the body. Sulforaphane is just one of the molecules contained within these vegetables, but it’s enough to cause cell death when consumed.

In a bid to prevent damage occurring, our body’s store of antioxidants, glutathione, binds with the sulforaphane to try and remove it. In doing so, however, our levels of glutathione are reduced, which leaves other cells even more vulnerable. 

In addition to this, the isothiocyanates present in cruciferous vegetables compete with iodine, which naturally prevents it from being used by the thyroid. As a result, cruciferous vegetables can limit the production of thyroxine and contribute to the development of hypothyroidism. 

health dangers of phytochemicals

Fruits are known for their high sugar content, which can be extremely harmful. Despite occurring naturally, an excess of sugar can cause blood sugar problems, weight gain, tooth decay, and heart issues. 

In addition to this, fruits contain a high number of phytochemicals, such as tannins, photosensitizers, salicylates, and flavonoids, as well as cyanogenic glycosides, which create cyanide when mixed with an activating enzyme that just so happens to occur naturally in our bodies. Associated with a wide range of symptoms, consuming excess amounts can result in:

• Thyroid dysfunction
• Asthma-life symptoms
• Allergies
• Hives
• Stomach upset
• Headaches
• Vision problems
• Anxiety
• Liver toxicity
• Kidney damage
• Malabsorption
• Malnutrition
  

The Bottom Line

There's currently very little evidence to support the idea that fruits, seeds and vegetables are good for you and a lot of evidence to suggest they're not.

The current dietary guidelines for plant foods weren't created to optimise human health, they were created by fruit and vegetable industry giants to persuade the public into consuming more of them.

Almost all autoimmune conditions are associated with plant foods in some way. Some people tolerate plants extremely well, other people don't. Especially those with a leaky gut. If you don't tolerate plants well, it might be worth your time to explore the idea of a life without them.