Beware of the danger: Moldy fruits could harm your health
Summer and spring are times when fresh fruits take center stage on our plates—juicy, full of vitamins, and perfect for refreshing ourselves. But beware! Not all fruits are safe to eat. Brown spots on the skin may indicate the presence of patulin, a toxin produced by molds, which can have adverse effects on our bodies. How can you recognize it and protect yourself?
The season for fresh fruits is a joy and a chance for healthy indulgence for many of us. Why give up on what's natural and delicious? The problem is that even the most beautiful fruit can conceal danger beneath its skin. Patulin is a silent enemy—a toxic substance that appears with mold growth, leading to serious health issues, from allergies to organ damage. Unfortunately, getting rid of it isn't as simple as cutting out a few brown spots. It's better to know the facts and learn how to deal with this threat.
Fruits with brown spots—why can they be dangerous?
Patulin is a potent mycotoxin produced by molds that develop on rotting fruits, especially apples, pears, berries, and other soft fruits. Its presence is associated with the risk of serious health consequences, ranging from digestive issues, allergies, and fungal infections to damage to the liver and respiratory system. Even worse, patulin is suspected of being carcinogenic.
The issue is that mold can develop inside the fruit without necessarily leaving large visible spots outside. Therefore, cutting out a few brown fragments is often insufficient, as the toxin penetrates deeper and remains viable even during cooking or baking. As a result, consuming contaminated fruit can be very dangerous. You could suffer from severe poisoning or other health problems, such as weakened immunity or allergies.
How to protect yourself from patulin? A few simple rules:
- Choose fruits wisely: Carefully inspect fruits before purchasing and avoid those with discolorations, spots, or signs of mold, even if they are small.
- Store fruits properly: Keep them in a cool, dry place, away from moisture, since a humid environment promotes mold growth.
- Check fruits regularly: Monitor the fruits you already have at home and remove those that start to spoil immediately.
- Maintain hygiene: Wash your hands, clean tools, and kitchen surfaces to prevent the spread of mold to other products.
Remember, fruits are an invaluable source of vitamins, but they should be eaten wisely. Brown spots or signs of decay are not just cosmetic defects but warnings that shouldn’t be ignored. It's better to discard a suspicious fruit than risk your health.
