Did you accidentally eat bitter melon seeds during the Chinese New Year? Don’t hesitate! Spit them out immediately!

Review expert: Wang Xuejiang, professor at Capital Medical University

During the Chinese New Year, when visiting relatives and friends, melon seeds have always been one of the indispensable delicious snacks on the tea table of every household. Everyone sits together, eating melon seeds and chatting about family matters, and they are very happy. But if you accidentally eat bitter melon seeds, what will you do? Spit them out directly, or swallow them directly because it is troublesome? Here, we must remind everyone: Don't hesitate, spit them out immediately and rinse your mouth!

The reason behind this is a highly toxic substance - aflatoxin.

1. What exactly is aflatoxin?

Aflatoxin is a metabolite produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. It is a type of fungal toxin and is extremely toxic, about 68 times that of arsenic and 10 times that of potassium cyanide.

Aflatoxin is highly carcinogenic and is listed as a Class I carcinogen by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. Just 1 mg can induce liver cancer and may even cause stomach cancer, kidney cancer, colorectal cancer and many other cancers.

Once food contaminated with aflatoxin is ingested, it is likely to cause acute poisoning. After poisoning, the body will experience vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, jaundice and other discomfort symptoms. In severe cases, ascites, lower limb edema, hepatosplenomegaly, liver failure and other symptoms may also occur, and in extreme cases, it may even be life-threatening.

Aflatoxin can also silently attack important organs such as the liver, kidneys, immune system and nervous system through chronic poisoning, causing symptoms such as growth disorders, digestive system disorders (such as constipation, diarrhea), and decreased immune function.

2. Where does aflatoxin like to "hide"?

Since aflatoxin is so harmful, it is necessary for us to understand its "hiding place". Aflatoxin "prefers" nutrient-rich environments and will multiply in large quantities when encountering high temperature and high humidity conditions.

0 1 Foods that are the “hardest hit areas” by aflatoxin

Nuts: Nuts such as melon seeds, peanuts, walnuts, and pistachios are rich in protein, oil, and a variety of nutrients. In a humid environment, they can easily absorb moisture from the air and breed aflatoxin. When you eat bitter or moldy nuts, there is a high probability that they are contaminated. Be sure to spit them out immediately and rinse your mouth.

Cereals: Corn, wheat, rice, etc. are staple foods on our tables and feed countless people. However, if moisture-proof measures are not taken during harvesting and storage, these cereals are also easily contaminated by mold.

Seasonings: Although the amount of black pepper, chili pepper, star anise and other seasonings consumed each time is not large, if they are not stored properly and left in a humid environment for too long, they can also become a "breeding ground" for aflatoxin.

Edible oil: If the raw materials used for oil extraction, such as peanuts and sesame seeds, are contaminated with aflatoxin, the oil produced will also contain this toxin.

Meat, eggs and milk: When animals eat feed containing aflatoxins, these toxins will be metabolized in the animals' bodies and may be transmitted to humans through foods such as meat, eggs and milk.

Homemade fermented products, such as fermented bean curd and soybean paste, can easily breed aflatoxin if the sanitary conditions are not properly controlled during the production process.

0 2 The “habitat” of aflatoxin: kitchen utensils

Chopsticks: After frequent use, chopsticks will have tiny grooves and cracks on their surface, which are very likely to retain food residues and moisture. If the chopsticks are not drained after washing and are kept in a humid environment for a long time, aflatoxin can easily grow.

Chopping board: Knife marks on the surface of wooden chopping boards will leave some food debris and juice, which are difficult to completely remove during cleaning. In addition, wooden chopping boards are highly absorbent and difficult to dry after getting wet, which creates an excellent growth environment for aflatoxin.

3. How to prevent the threat of aflatoxin?

0 1Be careful when buying food

When choosing melon seeds and other nuts, try to choose shelled and vacuum-packed ones. You can also weigh them in your hand. If they feel too light, they may be shriveled or moldy inside, so you should give up immediately. When checking grains, avoid buying those that are dark in color, have black spots, or show signs of mold. When buying cooking oil, choose products produced by regular manufacturers and with quality certification marks.

0 2 Keep food dry and ventilated

Food at home should be placed in a dry, well-ventilated place, away from damp corners. Nuts, grains, etc. can be placed in sealed containers to prevent moisture and mold from the air from entering. At the same time, clean the food storage area regularly, check whether there is expired or spoiled food, and clean it up in time to prevent the spread of mold.

0 3 If swallowed, spit it out immediately

When eating melon seeds and other nuts, you need to carefully check their appearance. If there are black spots, mold spots, or filamentous or fuzzy substances, do not eat them. If you accidentally eat melon seeds with bitter or moldy taste, you should spit them out immediately and rinse your mouth.

0 4 Keep kitchen utensils dry and clean

Cleaning and maintenance of kitchen utensils are equally important. After each use, be sure to wash them and place them in a ventilated place to dry. Also, remember to regularly replace kitchen utensils such as chopsticks and cutting boards.

How many melon seeds did you eat during the Chinese New Year? Remember: if you encounter bitter melon seeds, don't hesitate, spit them out immediately! Share this with your family and friends so that everyone can enjoy the delicious melon seeds!