7 Foods That Become Toxic When Reheated

7 Foods That Become Toxic When Reheated

Many times, we cook cabbage, potatoes or chicken curry and then reheat it. But reheating some foods repeatedly can cause toxic chemical changes, which can cause food poisoning, digestive problems and harm the body. Below is a list of 7 foods that are better not to reheat.

1. Potatoes

• Reheating potatoes can produce botulinum toxin, which can cause food poisoning.
• Especially when you puree potatoes or broth and reheat them, bacteria can grow in them.

What to do instead? It is better to store it in the refrigerator and eat it cold.

2. Eggs

• Reheating eggs can destroy the protein in them and produce toxic compounds.
• Especially if you overheat fried or boiled eggs, it can be harmful to the body.

What to do instead? Eat them immediately after cooking.

3. Chicken

• Reheating chicken repeatedly can change the protein structure and cause digestive problems.
• Especially when heated in a microwave, bacteria inside the food are not destroyed.

What to do instead? Heat slowly over low heat or use it cold in salads.

4. Spinach

• Spinach contains nitrates, which turn into nitrites when reheated and have a toxic effect on the body.
• This can reduce the flow of oxygen in the blood, which poses a health risk.

What to do instead? Eat cooked spinach chilled or as a salad.

5. Rice

• Reheating rice can cause the growth of a bacteria called Bacillus cereus, which can cause food poisoning.
• Sometimes, bacteria can grow in rice even after it has been refrigerated.

What to do instead? Eat rice within 2-3 hours of cooking or eat it cold.

6. Mushrooms

• Mushrooms are protein-rich foods that spoil easily when reheated.
• The proteins and enzymes in them can break down and cause digestive problems.

What to do instead? Eat them immediately after cooking or refrigerate and use them cold.

7. Cabbage and other green vegetables

• Cabbage, lettuce, broccoli or other green vegetables contain nitrates, which can turn into toxic nitrites and carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) when heated repeatedly.

What to do instead? It is better to eat them cold, or make soup and store it.

Caution

1. It is better to eat any food within 2-3 hours of cooking it once.
2. It is safer to heat it slowly on low heat than repeatedly on high heat.
3. Shake food stored in the refrigerator well before heating it, so that the food is heated evenly.

Conclusion

Not all foods are safe to reheat. Especially foods like proteins, vegetables, and carbohydrates can become toxic when reheated. Therefore, to maintain good health, one should be careful while heating and storing food.