Is eating onions and garlic with black spots poisonous? Should I eat them or throw them away?

GĐXH - Eating onions and garlic with black spots may be unsafe due to the risk of fungal infection. However, if you cannot avoid it, it is best to cut off the black-spotted parts and cook them before eating.

Surprising health benefits of onions and garlic

Many people think that onions and garlic are indispensable spices in the Vietnamese kitchen. These spices only enhance the flavor of food but do not provide many nutrients. However, this is not true, they are actually nutritional "super foods".

Onions have many health benefits. Onions contain compounds such as quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce arthritis, heart disease, and other inflammatory problems. Additionally, onions contain fiber and prebiotics, which help improve digestive function and balance the gut microbiome.

Illustration

Studies show that onions contain antioxidant compounds, which may help prevent the growth of cancer cells, especially stomach and colon cancer.

Garlic contains allicin, a powerful compound that kills bacteria and viruses, helping the body fight infections. A study has shown that garlic can lower blood pressure, especially in people with high blood pressure. Garlic also helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL), reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Research also shows that garlic may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, including stomach, esophageal and colon cancers, thanks to the sulfur compounds found in garlic.

How does eating onions and garlic with black spots affect health?

Normally, dried onions and garlic after being bought from the market, after being left for a while, are very likely to have black spots. When observing the outside, you can see black mold on the garlic cloves and they spread easily. If left for a long time, the garlic can be completely damaged.

According to Professor Dr. Ekachai Ketwal, a food and nutrition expert at the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, black spots on onions and garlic can come from two causes: One is bruising due to improper storage or garlic left for too long, leading to bruising; the other is due to mold such as Aspergillus flavus or Penicillium, a type of mold commonly found on agricultural products.

Mushrooms can produce aflatoxin, an extremely dangerous carcinogen, and if food is contaminated with aflatoxin, temperatures must reach 270°C to destroy the aflatoxin.

Illustration

Research shows that garlic contains allicin and diallyl sulfide, which have the ability to inhibit the growth of fungi. While garlic can be contaminated with fungi, the fungi do not thrive and do not produce aflatoxin. So if you come across garlic with black spots, it means that the fungus has grown more than normal and should be avoided.

Therefore, eating onions and garlic with black spots may be unsafe due to the risk of fungal infection. In particular, raw garlic with black spots should not be eaten. However, if this is unavoidable, it is best to cut off the black-spotted part and cook the garlic before eating.

4 reasons why garlic spoils quickly

Fungi or Bacteria : Black spots can be caused by fungi or bacteria that attack the onion or garlic bulb. These agents can cause rot or infection.

Illustration

Improper storage : When onions or garlic are stored in a damp or poorly ventilated environment, they are prone to mold and develop black spots.

Mechanical injuries : Sometimes, bumps or careless cutting of onions or garlic can cause black spots, due to damaged cells and oxidation.

Aging : As onions or garlic bulbs get older or age, black spots may also appear due to the natural breakdown of nutrients in the bulb.

Note: Place the basket or bag of onions in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place in the kitchen. Absolutely do not leave onions in places with too low temperatures (below 10 degrees) or too high temperatures. Note, you need to check the onion bag regularly, remove onions that show signs of rotting, softening or changing color to avoid mold spreading to other onions in the bag.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/an-hanh-toi-co-dom-den-co-doc-hai-khong-nen-an-hay-vut-bo-172250109161350835.htm