The summer heat often makes you want to favor cold dishes and minimally processed foods. Between tartares, raw fish, mixed salads or crunchy vegetables, raw food takes pride of place on many plates. Alexandra Murcier, dietitian-nutritionist, recalls that several common foods can contain bacteria, parasites or toxic substances neutralized only by cooking. According to her, a few precautions make it possible to avoid sometimes severe digestive disorders and certain more serious infections.
Why some raw foods become risky in summer
Summer favors the multiplication of bacteria when the cold chain is broken or when food remains at room temperature for too long. This situation increases the risk of food poisoning.
“Cooking is a process that significantly limits the risk of bacterial contamination. By eating raw, especially animal proteins, the risk of food poisoning – or even more serious pathologies – is increased.“
Symptoms can appear quickly after eating contaminated food. Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, headaches or fever are among the most common manifestations.
Raw foods to avoid according to Alexandra Murcier
Several foods require special vigilance when consumed without cooking.
The beans
Beans are among the products concerned. The specialist explains: “In some sensitive people, beans can cause hemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells.“
Red beans
Raw kidney beans also pose a risk. “Cooking inactivates a highly concentrated toxin in raw kidney beans, which causes severe vomiting“, warns the nutritionist.
Fish and seafood
When it comes to seafood, caution remains in order. Raw fish and seafood may be associated with risks of listeriosis or hepatitis A.
“If you want to eat raw fish and seafood, it is essential to freeze them beforehand. Freezing makes it possible to eliminate some of the pathogens likely to cause infections.“
Raw meats
Raw meats, particularly poultry and pork, also require special attention. “Meats – especially poultry and pork – contain a lot of bacteria, including E. Coli, which can be fatal in certain cases, but also Salmonella, Listeria, etc.“
Eggs
Undercooked eggs can transmit salmonellosis, an infection particularly feared in certain populations.
“Except that the risk of transmission of salmonellosis is real and very serious in pregnant women.“
Potatoes
Raw potatoes are also one of the foods to watch out for. According to the expert, “Potatoes contain solanine, a toxic compound inactivated by cooking. It is necessary to be aware of this, because you can develop digestive and neurological disorders if you ingest raw potatoes.“.
Some mushrooms
Finally, some mushrooms may be harmless when cooked but problematic when eaten raw. Alexandra Murcier warns: “Some of them are toxic when raw, but become harmless when cooked. The risk can therefore be serious. If in doubt, it is better to seek advice from a pharmacist“.