Symptoms and consequences of hydrocyanic acid poisoning. Food poisoning - symptoms and treatment Is it possible to get poisoned by nectarines

Food poisoning is one of the most common diseases of the digestive system. As a rule, the cause is spoiled food or a large amount of nitrates in vegetables and fruits. How difficult the intoxication is depends on many factors, including which bacteria caused the poisoning and whether the person has strong immunity.

For some signs, an immediate call for an ambulance is necessary (in the case of childhood poisoning, this is a mandatory event, regardless of the severity of the condition), sometimes you can do it yourself and see a doctor later, at the stage of recovery.
In any case, the question arises of what to eat.

Words " therapeutic diet” evoke associations with something insipid and tasteless. Is it possible to somehow diversify your diet after poisoning and include, for example, fruits? Let's try to answer this question in this article.

General rules for nutrition after poisoning

Diet plays a huge role in the recovery period. It is important to eat regularly, in small portions. It should not be forgotten that food intoxication has dealt a serious blow to the gastrointestinal tract, and it needs time to return to normal operation.

Therefore, hard foods should be avoided, preferring porridge and puree-like consistency.
It is important to drink plenty of fluids to make up for its losses during the acute period of poisoning, as well as speed up the process of removing toxins from the body.

Some products are better to exclude for a while. After poisoning prohibited

carbonated drinks;
milk;
yeast products;
cabbage;
beans and beans;
sausage;
White bread;
confectionery;
all types of conservation;

Food should be boiled, baked or steamed. It is better to give up fried foods for a while.

Can fruits be poisoned

Previously, it was believed that after the end of the acute phase, a strict eating plan should be followed. Today, this point of view is gradually dying out, giving way to the opinion that, in the absence of medical contraindications, nutrition can be, within reasonable limits, very diverse.

Therefore, you can eat fruits after poisoning, you just have to follow some rules that will help you extract from the product maximum benefit and not be harmful to health.

Acute phase of poisoning

You can start eating any food, including fruits, only after the end of the acute phase of poisoning (although rarely does anyone feel hungry during this period).

This can be judged by the disappearance of such signs as:

vomit;
nausea;
diarrhea;
increase in body temperature;
severe pain in the abdomen;

Signs such as general malaise, weakness, and stomach discomfort are non-specific and may persist for some time.

Tendency to allergic reactions

Here we are talking not only about the allergy that a person suffers at the present period of life, but also about the allergy to foods that was in childhood and then disappeared. It often happens that intoxication contributes to the recurrence of such forgotten childhood allergic reactions.

The desire of the sick

If there is no appetite or you do not want to eat this product, then you should not eat through force. Such food will not bring any benefit, but will only lay an additional burden in an inflamed stomach.

What are the benefits of fruits

Compared to other sources of energy, fruit has a markedly superior content of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. The latter are especially important for the body weakened after poisoning, since vomiting and diarrhea significantly worsen the water and electrolyte balance. This affects the work of all organs, especially the cardiovascular, nervous systems and kidneys.

Therefore, fruits will be extremely useful during the recovery period, saturating the body with essential vitamins and minerals.

In addition, almost all fruits contain a significant amount of fiber. The digestive tract is not able to digest it, but, passing through its departments, it irritates the walls of the mucous membranes and stimulates them to work. This contributes to the normalization of the work of all gastrointestinal tract.

What fruits can and cannot be eaten after poisoning

On the first day after poisoning, not only fruits, but also any food are not allowed. After that, subject to improvement in the condition, you can gradually begin to introduce products into the diet.

It is best to start not with fresh fruits, but with baked ones. This processing method will turn the fruit into an easy-to-digest dish that will not create additional burden.

So, what fruits are best for a post-poisoning diet?

Bananas. The fruits must be ripe, with an intact yellow skin. They can also and should be baked, in this form they are better absorbed. Bananas have enveloping properties, which is extremely useful for the affected mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines;
Baked apples. In addition to the large amount of vitamins that these “fruits of health” contain, apples are useful in that they stimulate the intestines. It is allowed to add a little honey when baking;
Dried apricots. Dried apricots must first be boiled and then rubbed through a sieve. Also from dried apricots (with the addition of prunes and raisins) you can cook compotes;
Pears. It is highly undesirable to use raw pears, since they contribute to heaviness in the stomach, but in the baked form they will be very useful;
Peaches. Before eating them for the patient, it is required to peel the fruit from the skin. Peaches contain a large amount of liquid, as well as useful trace elements;
Walnuts have the ability to remove harmful substances from the body, including mercury, lead and radionuclides. In ordinary food poisoning, eating them will also be extremely useful;

Despite the fact that fruits will be very useful for a recovering body, you should still refrain from eating some of them:

All citrus fruits;
Melon watermelon;
Plums;
Cherry, sweet cherry;

The restrictions are due to the fact that the above fruits are too heavy food for the affected gastrointestinal tract, and can provoke heaviness, as well as diarrhea.

However, such consequences are only a possibility, and do not necessarily occur.
If the state of health allows, you can afford a couple of cherries. There will be no harm from this.

Possible Causes of Fruit Poisoning

In any store or market you can find almost any fruit, including the most exotic ones. It would seem that you can get any vitamins all year round. But doctors recommend not to get carried away with fruits brought from afar, but to give preference to seasonal fruits grown nearby.

For transportation, as well as in the process of growing in industry, chemicals that are quite harmful to health are used, for example:

Growth hormones, nitrates help accelerate the ripening of fruits, but accumulate in the peel;
Pesticides are used in industry to control insect pests. They, unlike nitrates, accumulate in all parts of the fruit, including the pulp;
The substance Diphenyl fights fungal infections. Therefore, the surface of the pilaf is treated with it in order to increase their shelf life.

A huge number of people suffer from fruit poisoning every year. Most often, the cause is early strawberries or watermelons, “pumped up” with nitrates. Although any fruit can cause intoxication, even a harmless apple, if it is brought from afar and heavily processed with “chemistry”.

How to choose good fruits?

Fruits are able to fill us with energy, replenish the supply of vitamins and cheer up. But, under certain circumstances, they turn into poison and can cause poisoning. To prevent this from happening, it is worth adhering to certain rules when choosing them.

Color and size. You should not buy unnaturally large or bright fruits of an ideal shape.
Smell. Fruit should give off at least a faint odor. If the fruit does not smell of anything, then this is a sure sign of a huge content. chemical substances, with which he was raised and then transported.
Peel. Externally, the fruit should not be damaged, it should not have mold or rot.
Taste. An uncharacteristic taste is a signal that this product cannot be eaten, it should be thrown away immediately.
Seasonality. The best time to buy fruit is when it ripens in the region. Early strawberries, melons or watermelons are very often harmful to health due to the huge amount of pesticides and nitrates they contain. It is strictly forbidden to give such fruits to children, since they do not benefit at all, but only harm.
Manufacturer. For the same reason, it is better to give preference to vegetables and fruits that are grown in your region. Their transportation does not require complex chemical processing, which allows storing fruits for months. Of course, the best fruits are those that were grown on their own site, since they are guaranteed to have no harmful “chemistry”.

Fruits should be included in the daily diet, as they supply our body with the necessary vitamins and minerals, while most fruits can be considered dietary products due to the small amount of calories.

Currently, more and more often you can find the point of view that the period of rehabilitation after poisoning is not a reason to exclude them from your menu.

Of course, one should not thoughtlessly pounce on watermelons and oranges on the third day after intoxication, but a baked apple or banana will have an extremely positive effect on the stomach and intestines, as well as replenish the loss of electrolytes and vitamins.

Hydrocyanic acid is a potent toxic substance of toxic action. The pungent smell is reminiscent of the bitterness of almonds. Density, which changes upon coming into contact with reagents. The mechanism of action of SC has been studied in great detail. This toxic substance, getting into the tissue causes oxygen starvation. But there is a lot of oxygen in the blood. HCN reacts well with oxidized iron.

Hydrocyanic acid is a potent poison

Therefore, the action of a toxic substance on enzymes respiratory system, which includes ferric iron, causes inactivation of tissue respiration, which leads to the development of tissue hypoxia. It is also known that cyanides lead to hypoxia, and act on the central nervous system.

Hydrocyanic acid is a gaseous and colorless liquid, the density of which is 0.699, with a characteristic low boiling point. The acid has an almond smell. This density is due to the fact that this toxic substance, reacting, becomes a liquid or acquires a gaseous form. In gaseous form, there is an almond smell. It easily combines with water and organic solvents.

WITH temperature regime over 13 degrees, turns into a hardened fibrous - crystalline form with no smell. Cyanide enters the body through the air when a person inhales its vapors. The main mechanism of entry is inhalation. SC belongs to the type of potent toxic substances. In nature, hydrocyanic acid (hydrocyanic) is not found in free form. Therefore, SC poisoning occurs under the mechanism chemical reactions. These include:

Amygdalin. It is found in the stones of: peaches, cherries, plums, apricots, in the families of bitter almonds;
Prunazine. Found in Pennsylvania cherry;
Durrin. Contained in millet, and the combustion of celluloid forms hydrocyanic acid. It is present in cigarette smoke.

SA content in plants and seeds of various fruits

Almond contains 2% amygdalin

This natural formation is part of the glycosides. By themselves, they are less toxic as long as they are whole. Only the mechanism of transformations is broken, hydrocyanic acid is released. At high humidity, hydrocyanic acid is formed in the pits of fruits: peaches, apricots, pears, cherries, plums, bird cherry. But not in grapes. Its whole berries can be used to make wine.

With the above fruits, it is dangerous to do so. Almond contains 2% amygdalin. The toxic substance itself is found in bitter varieties of nuts. Therefore, it easily breaks down into sugar and hydrogen cyanide. It is recommended to use after appropriate heat treatment, and children should not. The dose that can lead to the death of a child is 10 pcs., For adults - more than 50 pcs.

Almonds contain much more hydrocyanic acid than apricot, cherry or apple fruits. The percentage of amygdalin in peach families is 3%, in bird cherry - 6%. Prussic acid is absent in peach seed oil. It is pleasant in smell and taste. And the stone is much more dangerous than in apricot, bird cherry and cherry. 1.8% is found in apricot kernels. It is not recommended to consume more than ten nucleoli, this can lead to poisoning of the body.

In sweet varieties, there is little hydrogen cyanide, because they are practically safe. Cherry pit contains - 0.8%. Jam with a bone is not dangerous, since amygdalin is destroyed during high heat treatment. The seeds of apples contain the least poisonous substance. But it is better to extract the seeds in order to avoid poisoning, especially in children.

The percentage, amygdalin in peach families is 3%

Not only for beauty, a person fell in love with bird cherry. Bird cherry belongs to the Rosaceae family. Its fruits have astringent properties and a wonderful smell. Bird cherry bark is used for fever and rheumatism, leaves - for diseases of the respiratory system and lungs, eye lotions are prepared from bird cherry color. But in reality, this plant contains hydrocyanic acid, except for the fruits. Therefore, compote with bird cherry is recommended, only as a strengthening drink.

Bird cherry should not be consumed by pregnant women; this will adversely affect the baby. Do not give in large quantities to children, as excessive consumption will lead to toxic poisoning of the body with hydrocyanic acid. A pleasant smell during the flowering period of lilac and bird cherry also releases hydrocyanic acid. SC (hydrocyanic acid) is a fast-acting poisonous substance.

Frozen fruits with berries should be stored for no more than a year. Since during long-term storage, the mechanism of destruction of amygdalin occurs, which contributes to the release of hydrocyanic acid. It is also released during rapid defrosting.

The poison penetrates the mucous membrane, gastrointestinal tract, open wounds with cuts. In case of vapor poisoning, a bitter taste is felt in oral cavity mild nausea, headache. Shortness of breath appears, a person begins to panic and loses consciousness. Poisoning with a large dose leads to death.

At the first symptoms of toxic stone poisoning: cherries, pears, almonds, bird cherry, you should immediately provide first aid and call an ambulance. On early stages easier to stop intoxication. The more severe the degree of toxic poisoning, the more dangerous it is for the body.

Bird cherry seeds contain 6% amygdalin

A significant amount of poisoning (SC) occurs at manufacturing enterprises. There, its salts are used to make plastics, rubber, aromatic substances, herbicides and other things. The mechanism for manufacturing such products is dangerous for an unprotected human body. Hydrocyanic acid has a specific smell, which is extremely dangerous for humans.

Symptoms of Hydrocyanide Poisoning

Signs of poisoning are observed if the poison is ingested. That is, inhaling its vapors or, the skin was affected. The rapid effect of the toxin on the body depends on the route of entry and the manifestation of the clinical picture. A severe degree occurs if the poison has entered the respiratory system. Symptoms appear instantly. At a high content, death occurs almost immediately.

When it enters the esophagus, the acid "lurks" and does not make itself felt for some time. Intoxication occurs even more slowly and more severely if the poisoning occurs through the tissues of the skin. Active physical activity, elevated room temperature will lead to profuse sweating, and the latent period will last up to an hour and a half.

At high doses of hydrocyanic acid, a person loses consciousness

The main signs of SC poisoning

The mucous membrane and skin of a person are painted in a bright pink color. The smell of almond bitterness prevails.
Abundant salivation, accompanied by perspiration, bitterness in the mouth and a specific taste of metal.
The digestive system reacts to poisoning with increased urge to vomit and nausea.
Cardiac system. Pulse increases with severe pain in the chest area. In the last stages, tachycardia is replaced by rapid breathing and a slow pulse.
Respiratory system. Here there is frequent breathing with obvious signs of arrhythmia.
Nervous system. At this stage, numbness of the mouth occurs, incoherent speech, headache, and violation of the rhetoric of movements appear. The pupils dilate with complete loss of consciousness. As a result, convulsions, involuntary urination, coma and death.

To determine the degree of damage to the SC, it is possible according to the signs:

sudden onset of symptoms of a lesion;
clear and rapid development of the clinical picture;
in the inhaled air smell of bitter almonds;
bright red color of the skin and mucous membranes;
dilated pupils.

SC lesions are similar to other toxic and toxic substances that provoke the development of seizures (Fov lesions, poisoning carbon monoxide). The smell of acid triggers the action of the poison, which endangers the human body.

In case of hydrocyanic acid poisoning, the skin becomes red, and the mucous membranes become bluish.

Lethal dose for humans

It fluctuates within 50 mg, it is:

about a hundred apricot seeds;
30 gr. bitter almonds;
50 cherry and peach kernels;
200 apple seeds.

The action of hydrogen cyanide destroys not only the gastrointestinal tract, but also: kidneys, liver, heart. Sugar is the antidote.

First aid to the victim

As soon as the first symptoms appear, the person must be laid horizontally, in order to avoid the spread of poison throughout the body and body. If the poison has entered the esophagus, rinse the stomach, induce vomiting. It is called in a person who is conscious. To do this, you need three glasses of water with the addition of 3 teaspoons per glass. Next, gastric lavage with milk diluted with boiled water.

An excellent effect on the body will have a weak solution of potassium permanganate with activated charcoal. They are antidotes. If there are signs of clinical death, then immediately carry out resuscitation before the arrival of emergency assistance. If the toxin gets on the skin, carefully remove clothes and wipe the affected areas with soapy water, without smearing it all over the body! Otherwise, the poison suction action will have a haste effect. Hydrogen cyanide is poison. And the wrong help will lead to death.

List of antidotes used in case of poisoning. These include:

baking soda;
sugar;
Activated carbon;
camphor;
a couple of vinegar.

Timely first aid helps to neutralize toxic substances and prevents complications.

Therapeutic measures for SC poisoning

An antidote is used to treat

SC antidotes are divided into groups that, in reaction with HCN, neutralize the toxic substance. The use of methemoglobin began based on the main mechanism of action of SC. Because oxidized iron is in the methemoglobin molecule, and hydrogen cyanide, reacting with it, forms cyanmethemoglobin. Methemoglobin is converted with the help of nitrites.

Their antidote action occurs by inhalation using two ampoules of 0.5 ml of amyl nitrite, intravenously - one percent sodium nitrite (30 ml). An overdose of these drugs is very dangerous and leads to vascular insufficiency. Therefore, it is necessary not to exceed the permissible norms, and if it is necessary to continue antidote treatment, then use other antidotes.

Methemoglobin formers do not cleanse the body of the toxin, but temporarily block cyanogen. Therefore, nitrites are used in conjunction with other SK antidotes to avoid relapse of intoxication. Antidote therapy is carried out jointly: first, nitrites, then - hyposulfite with a chromosome. They have a slow action, but completely remove the poison.

Resuscitation

Tracheal intubation is performed, followed by artificial ventilation of the lungs. Hydrocyanic acid poisoning provokes the development of Parkinson's disease and disruption of the cerebellum.

Action of acid during freezing. Frozen fruits with berries should be stored for no more than a year. Since during long-term storage, the mechanism of destruction of amygdalin occurs, which contributes to the release of hydrocyanic acid. It is also released during rapid defrosting.

Prevention

In order not to become a victim of poisoning and not be at risk, it is necessary in a timely manner:

constantly ventilate the room where work with toxins was carried out;
follow the safety instructions;
observe personal hygiene;
regular monitoring of the level of toxic substances;
check equipment for serviceability.

Each person should be informed about first aid methods for hydrocyanic acid poisoning. The use of hydrocyanic acid at home leads to irreversible consequences. It is important to know that hydrocyanic acid, which has entered the body in small doses, is neutralized naturally. Therefore, the clinical picture of poisoning does not appear.

The shelves of supermarkets and markets are simply littered with a huge amount of fruits, and not all fruits are seasonal. Farmers take advantage of the fact that the demand for fruits is increased at any time of the year, so they use different technologies, which contribute to the extremely rapid ripening of fruits. Thanks to this approach, fruits not only cease to be useful, they can become dangerous. Every year, fruit poisoning is recorded in a large number patients of different ages. A special peak occurs in spring and early summer, when many buyers rush to try the first cherries, strawberries or apricots.

Causes of fruit poisoning

Every year there are more and more cases of fruit poisoning. The reason for this is nothing but the greed of the producers. If earlier they used simply additives that accelerated the growth of fruits, now the list of substances that contribute to the rapid harvesting and its preservation has increased. All these additives can be very dangerous for the human body:

growth hormones. If earlier the same melons were simply watered with solutions to accelerate growth, now they prefer to inject hormone-based preparations into almost every berry. Such watermelons or melons look very ripe and appetizing, so they do not arouse any suspicion among buyers.
Nitrates. Fruits are able to ripen only under certain conditions, if there is enough light and heat. Under the same conditions, nitrates decompose and do not pose a danger to humans. But manufacturers use these substances in excess, and the weather is not always happy with sunny weather, so nitrates accumulate under the crust and enter the human body.
Pesticides. These substances are used to control harmful insects that spoil agricultural products. Many of the poisons are not dangerous to humans, but the problem is that manufacturers take stronger drugs that contain mercury and heavy metals. Beetles and caterpillars quickly die from such poisons. But toxins in an unchanged form are deposited on fruits and cause human poisoning.
Diphenyl. Attractive appearance plant products, which may be more tempting for the buyer. To keep the presentation of fruit long time, they are coated with diphenyl, which many consider safe. In fact, it is a product of petroleum refining, it is very toxic and banned in many countries. Biphenyl cannot be simply washed off the peel, it retains all properties for a long time and penetrates under the skin of the fruit.

To avoid fruit poisoning, you should eat only seasonal fruits and berries. In addition, there is no need to chase overseas exotic fruits, before transportation they are treated with special compounds that prevent rot.

Alarming symptoms of poisoning

The human body reacts to the ingress of toxins within a few hours after eating poor quality fruit. Symptoms may vary depending on the amount of fruit eaten and on general condition human immunity. Most often, poisoning manifests itself as follows:

pallor of the skin appears. Sometimes the skin may acquire an icteric or bluish tint;
there is a sharp pain in the abdomen, which is accompanied by constant rumbling;
severe dizziness begins, which often leads to fainting;
nausea, which is accompanied by indomitable vomiting;
tachycardia begins, the person breathes heavily;
The patient suffers from profuse diarrhea. The stools are thin, frothy and very offensive;
urination is disturbed;
unstable work of cardio-vascular system. The pulse speeds up or, conversely, slows down a lot.

If the intoxication is severe, then the body temperature rises to critical levels, the pupils are dilated or severely constricted, the patient loses coordination. Vomit and stools may contain streaks of blood.

With severe intoxication, dehydration of the body can occur very quickly. This condition is very life threatening. At the first sign of a persistent deterioration in health, a doctor is called!

Emergency care for poisoning

With mild symptoms of fruit poisoning, you can do without the help of a doctor, but only if the person is physically strong, without chronic diseases. The first aid algorithm is as follows:

Thoroughly wash the sick stomach. To do this, they give several glasses of liquid to drink at a time and induce vomiting by pressing on the tongue. As a flushing liquid, you can use a solution of potassium permanganate, salt or soda. The solutions are pre-filtered through several layers of gauze.
Give adsorbents that are at home. Solution helps a lot activated carbon, which is taken at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kilograms of weight. Tablets are crushed and dissolved in slightly warm water.
The victim is given a cleansing enema to prevent the absorption of toxins into the intestinal mucosa. For this, slightly salted water or a pharmacy solution of rehydron is suitable.
The patient is put to bed and soldered in small portions. Rehydron solution helps to prevent dehydration. It contains all the necessary substances.

To solder children after fruit poisoning, it is better to use a solution of honey with lemon juice and water. Take a teaspoon of juice and honey in a glass of warm water. Regidron is very unpleasant in taste and can provoke a repeated attack of vomiting in children.

If a person has yellowed sclera of the eyes, confusion is noticeable, or there are impurities of blood in vomit and feces, then this is a signal for an emergency call for an ambulance. Particular attention should be paid to the health status of such groups of people - children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Treatment in a hospital

In life-threatening conditions, a person is hospitalized and provided with medical care aimed at the rapid removal of toxins from the body and the normalization of the work of all organs and systems:

If the person is conscious, then gastric lavage through a large diameter tube.
Perform forced diuresis.
Give laxatives.
Intravenous infusion of glucose solution and saline.
According to indications, antibacterial and cardiac drugs are prescribed.

Antibiotics are prescribed only after passing tests, as a result of which the causative agent of the disease has been identified. Otherwise, the treatment will be ineffective.

What could be the consequences

Sometimes fruit poisoning passes for a person almost without a trace. There is some discomfort, decreased performance, indigestion, headache, often these symptoms are attributed to fatigue or stress. Such poisoning does not bear any health consequences.

If a person’s condition after eating fruits is severe and manifests itself in malfunctions of the organs, then the development of diseases is possible. The consequences of intoxication can be gastritis, pancreatitis, tachycardia, migraine and chronic jaundice.. In this case, complex treatment is carried out, aimed not only at restoring the functioning of the diseased organ, but also at increasing overall immunity.

Why fruit seed poisoning occurs

Some people eat apricot kernels, which taste like almonds. In fact, the seeds of apricots, peaches and almonds contain a poisonous substance - hydrocyanic acid and its cyanide derivatives.

It is enough to eat about 100 apricot or almond kernels to get the strongest poisoning.

With this type of poisoning, a person is initially excited, but after a short time, the excitement is replaced by apathy. Then the temperature drops, jaundice occurs and a coma develops. If you do not quickly help the victim, then there may be a fatal outcome.

Poisoning with home-canned fruits is often diagnosed. The reason may be a broken technology, resulting in contamination of products with E. coli or botulinum toxin. But most often the reason is that fruits - cherries, sweet cherries, apricots - were canned with seeds. If such a compote or jam is eaten for several months, then nothing terrible happens. Another thing is if conservation costs more than a year. In this case, toxic substances from the seeds spread to the entire volume of the product.

Before preserving fruits and berries, it is advisable to remove the seeds from them. This will help prevent severe hydrocyanic acid poisoning.

How to prevent fruit poisoning

Buy only seasonal fruits.
Before use, all fruits are thoroughly washed with running water, water can wash away many of the elements that the peel is treated to improve storage.
Do not buy fruits that are unnaturally shiny, this is the first sign of the treatment of the fetus with diphenyl. This stuff doesn't even wash off. hot water, so you can eat such a fruit only by removing a thick layer of peel.
Do not buy fruits in places not designated for trade, especially near roads. This product is capable of absorbing heavy metals.

It is difficult to imagine a human diet without fruits. This herbal product in one form or another is loved by children and adults. It is ideal to consume fruits exclusively from your garden, but this is not available to everyone. When buying these food products, you need to look at the outer appearance. Sometimes it is better to buy not very beautiful, but healthy apples than fruits that look perfect.

Nitrates enter our body through vegetables and fruits, because nitrates serve as a fertilizer for agricultural products. It cannot be said that this is due to the fact that vegetables or fruits were not washed well. Plants store nitrates in upper layers their fruits. That is, in potatoes, the peel will be rich in nitrates, in cabbage - the upper leaves, and so on. As practice shows, watermelons are especially dangerous. Nitrates serve nutrients for plants. They supply agricultural products with nitrogen, with which plants build their cells. But in the case when soil fertilizer is not balanced, nitrates begin to accumulate in plants and become poisonous for a person who eats this fruit.

Why nitrates accumulate in agricultural products

Of course, producers of vegetables and fruits are determined to get a big harvest. And if the summer is not quite hot and excessively humid, then they try to compensate for the lack of solar heat and light with fertilizers, sometimes significantly overdoing it. Namely, a large amount of sunlight is necessary so that the nitrates that are stuffed with plants are completely processed into safe proteins. As a result, some of the fertilizers simply accumulate in the fruits in their original form, and then enter our body in the same form. Nitrates are poorly processed by plants also if the air temperature is not high enough and the humidity is high. That is, if the summer is cool and rainy, be sure that the vegetables and fruits on the shelves are saturated with nitrates.

Which agricultural products accumulate nitrates

The most slowly nitrates are processed into proteins in the cruciferous family. These include:

Various greenery

Cabbage

Beet

Radish

radish

Much less accumulate nitrates:

Bell pepper

Tomatoes

eggplant

polka dots

Garlic

Symptoms of nitrate poisoning

It is important to note that nitrate poisoning in different people manifests itself in different ways. But in general, this type of poisoning is characterized by the same symptoms as for poisoning with other substances. That is, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, because it is the first to take a hit. Disorders are manifested in the form of: nausea diarrhea vomiting The first symptoms of poisoning appear very quickly. Already within six hours after ingestion of products poisoned by nitrates, poisoning can be ascertained. With such poisoning, pain emanating from the liver, as well as dizziness, are possible. Arises general weakness in the body, there is a violation of coordination, the victim breathes rapidly.

First aid for poisoning

Rinse the stomach with salted water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, give a laxative, make an enema.

When vomiting stops, give the patient 6-10 activated charcoal tablets (it can be replaced with other sorbents, such as kefir). Cover the patient with heating pads, give him a plentiful warm drink. A day after recovery, it is better to starve, and then gradually switch to light soups, decoctions and crackers.

Be sure to see a doctor!

How to avoid nitrate poisoning. Removing hazards from:

GREEN. Carefully choose greens - it should not have rotten elements. The enemy of nitrates is direct sunlight, therefore, after holding the greens on the windowsill under the sun for 30 minutes, you will significantly reduce their number. Then soak the dill-parsley in salted water for 15 minutes and cut off the stems, using only the "tops" - this way you do not leave a chance for pathogenic bacteria. In addition, be sure to throw away the leftover greens and do not store them in the refrigerator: there nitrates turn into nitrites, which are even more dangerous for our body and can cause serious poisoning.

SHEETS. To reduce the amount harmful substances, you need to soak cabbage and salads for at least 2-3 hours in cold salted water. And in the salad itself, add 1 tbsp. l. citric acid, which blocks the reproduction of nitrobacteria and E. coli.

ROOT CROPS. Beets, carrots, parsnips, celery, etc. are thoroughly peeled, cut off the "buttocks" and "tails" - the places of accumulation of "dangers" and boil until cooked, and drain the broth.

PUMPKIN. This group includes cucumbers and zucchini, which accumulate dangerous substances and bacteria in the peel and "ass". After thoroughly washing and cleaning them properly, you can safely use them for food. When choosing these fruits, make sure that they are elastic to the touch, the flower is slightly wilted, the “butts” are firm (which means that the vegetable itself will be fresh).

FRUITS. Apples and pears need to be peeled and the core removed - it is there that the "paths" along which nitrates are absorbed pass. Wash peaches and apricots thoroughlywater, but for detei - cut off the skins and scald with boiling water.

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