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A Single Bite of This Meal Can Give You Liver Cancer

The Hidden Danger of Aflatoxins

Food is meant to nourish us, but some types of meals can harbour unknown toxins that can cause serious diseases, including cancer. Most alarming among these threats is aflatoxin contamination, which is associated with staple foods such as peanuts, maize, and rice. Aflatoxins are harmful mycotoxins produced by two species of moulds; they are primarily Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which can live and breed best at warm, damp temperatures. A small crumb from the contaminated food may even trigger a significant danger towards liver cancer.

What Are Aflatoxins?

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins that occur naturally and are known to be potent carcinogens. They are produced through improper storage of crops or exposure to higher moisture and temperature levels. These toxins are odorless, tasteless, and invisible and thus difficult to detect without some advanced testing. Regulatory agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), have considered aflatoxins one of the most dangerous food contaminants worldwide.

How Aflatoxins Cause Liver Cancer

Once ingested, the aflatoxins in the body are metabolized in the liver and produce further reactive compounds that may bind DNA, thus causing genetic mutations. Chronic or high-dose exposure has been found to cause hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the leading form of liver cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer ranks aflatoxins among Group 1 carcinogens.

It classified them as such due to the existence of enough human evidence linking them to cancer.

Common Foods Affected

Many common foods are affected by aflatoxins. These include:

1. Peanuts and Peanut Butter: Peanuts tend to easily grow mold once they are stored, making them the most common source of aflatoxins.

2. Corn and Corn Products: The crop also majorly affected by aflatoxins is corn, especially in regions where storage facilities are not accessible.

3. Rice: Moist rice can also contain aflatoxins because of inadequate drying or storage.

4. Tree Nuts: Some of the other nuts that might have contamination are almonds, pistachios, and walnuts.

5. Spices and Dried Fruits: Aflatoxin exposure can be enhanced by low levels of contaminated spices or dried fruits.

Aflatoxin contamination is a problem throughout the world, but more in developing countries. Their food storage conditions are inadequate. Aflatoxins are the number one cause of liver cancer in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

The WHO estimated that every year, 25% of the world’s food supply was contaminated with mycotoxins, leading to serious health and economic impacts.

1. Use food from safe suppliers: Source food from good suppliers who would only accept stringent quality standards.

2. Store foods in cool and dry areas to avoid the formation of molds.

3. Always inspect nuts, grains or seeds for mould before consumption: If nuts, grains, and seeds appear mouldy or discoloured, discard.

4. Variety in diet will help reduce exposure.

5. Consider detoxification foods: Chlorophyll and a few other natural compounds are believed to have a reducing effect on the amount of aflatoxin absorbed.

Single ingestions of aflatoxins-contaminated foods can be disastrous for you; hence, be aware of the risk and take caution on their preventive measures. Understand the hazard and take precautions to ward yourself and your loved ones off from unseen dangers lurking in everyday foods to ensure food safety for your healthier future.

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