What to do if you get poisoned by eating lentils

Lentils are a relatively common vegetable. They are flat and look like beans in the middle, so they are called lentils. However, you need to know that many people may suffer from poisoning when eating lentils because they are not fully cooked or they eat very old lentils. Poisoning after eating lentils will cause many inexplicable symptoms, and patients need to go to the hospital for treatment in time.

What are the symptoms of lentil poisoning?

The incubation period of lentil poisoning is relatively short, and symptoms of lentil poisoning usually appear within half an hour to five hours.

1. Mild initial symptoms: People who are poisoned by lentils will feel stomach discomfort at first;

2. Symptoms of moderate poisoning: Nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, headache and dizziness, chest tightness and palpitations will follow.

3. Symptoms of severe poisoning: In severe cases, symptoms include cold sweats, chills, cold hands and feet, numbness of limbs, and even shock.

Can eating lentils cause poisoning?

1. Eating uncooked lentils can cause poisoning

Lentils contain toxic ingredients such as hemagglutinin and saponin. The older the lentils grow, the more saponins they contain, which can be destroyed by high temperatures. However, if it is not cooked thoroughly, it can easily cause poisoning. Toxic substances such as saponins, glycosides and soy sauce are highly irritating to the human gastrointestinal tract, and can dissolve red blood cells and cause hemorrhagic inflammation.

2. Allergic to lentils

Lentils may also become allergens. If you are allergic to lentils, eating them may cause allergic symptoms such as skin redness and swelling, frequent diarrhea, indigestion, headache, sore throat, asthma, etc. Therefore, such people should also avoid eating lentils.

What to do if you get poisoned by eating lentils

Those with mild poisoning can recover on their own after rest. Drinking appropriate amounts of licorice and mung beans as tea can have a certain detoxifying effect.

Mild to moderate cases can be detoxified by inducing vomiting and gastric lavage, while more serious cases require a visit to the gastroenterology department of a hospital. Hospitalization and intravenous treatment are required if necessary. Remember to drink plenty of water and do not eat irritating foods.

How to eat lentils to avoid poisoning

1. Remove the two ends and pods of lentils

Before eating lentils, you should remove the two ends and pod fibers, as these parts contain the most toxins.

2. Adding garlic to fried lentils can detoxify

The color of the lentils has not completely changed, and they feel hard and fishy when chewed. Eating this kind of lentils can cause poisoning, so when stir-frying, you must use a higher heat and cook for a longer time than other vegetables. At the same time, adding an appropriate amount of minced garlic before serving can not only change the taste, but also detoxify and kill bacteria.

3. Be sure to heat and cook

Most poisoning patients suffer from undercooked lentils, so be sure to cook the lentils thoroughly before eating them. You can use cooking methods such as stewing or roasting that take a long time. After frying in oil, add appropriate amount of water, cover the pot, and simmer on low heat at 100 degrees Celsius for more than 10 minutes. Use a spatula to turn the lentils so that they are evenly heated. You can also add some vinegar to reduce its toxicity.