What are some foods we eat every day most likely to kill us?
February 11, 2019 7:12 PM Subscribe
I'm trying to write a sketch called "kill them with kindness." My premise is people breaking bread with folks who hold badly dated views. Except they take them to a cafe where the menu, long term, statistically, will kill you. But not badly made blowfish. Or spoiled stuff. I mean everyday grub. Like charred meat leading to higher cancer risk from carcinogens. So what else is on this deadly menu?
I'd start with alcohol and processed meat products (ie, deli meat).
posted by saeculorum at 7:19 PM on February 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by saeculorum at 7:19 PM on February 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
The breakfast meats are full of nitrates and none of the plastic cutlery is BPA-free. đ±
posted by phunniemee at 7:20 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 7:20 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Also, somewhat amusingly, nutmeg in extremely high doses has hallucinogenic effects and can damage your heart and nerve system.
posted by saeculorum at 7:20 PM on February 11, 2019
posted by saeculorum at 7:20 PM on February 11, 2019
Romaine lettuce?
posted by padraigin at 7:26 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by padraigin at 7:26 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Have a smoking section.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:38 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by warriorqueen at 7:38 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Black licorice contains the compound glycyrrhizin, which is the sweetening compound derived from licorice root. Glycyrrhizin can cause potassium levels in the body to fall. When that happens, some people experience abnormal heart rhythms, as well as high blood pressure, edema (swelling), lethargy, and congestive heart failure.
posted by Weeping_angel at 7:38 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Weeping_angel at 7:38 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Douglas Mawson died of hypervitaminosis A, from eating too much dog liver. Other, more commonly-eaten livers are also high in vitamin A. Maybe include some cod-liver oil just to be sure.
posted by pompomtom at 7:40 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by pompomtom at 7:40 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
(Licorice root tea does the same thing, what with the problem being the licorice root, and is way tastier than black licorice.)
posted by Weeping_angel at 7:40 PM on February 11, 2019
posted by Weeping_angel at 7:40 PM on February 11, 2019
Hot dogs are a common choking hazard ( and also full of nitrates)
posted by coppermoss at 7:40 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by coppermoss at 7:40 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
If they're on certain medications, grapefruit juice can be problematic.
posted by Weeping_angel at 7:42 PM on February 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Weeping_angel at 7:42 PM on February 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
A diet high in smoked fish leads to an increased chance of stomach cancer.
posted by ejs at 7:45 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by ejs at 7:45 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Carbonated sugary drinks for a nice dose of type 2 diabetes.
posted by flabdablet at 7:46 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by flabdablet at 7:46 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Large desserts, cakes with thick icing and sugar on the side. Recipe provided to customers on request.
Restaurants with poor health inspection ratings.
Farm-to-table restaurant with locally-sourced mushrooms. It's really easy to make a mistake with certain types of mushrooms, though that would be a quicker death.
Cyanide is found in several foods (almonds, apricot pits, cassava, and more), according to wikipedia, and chronic exposure to lower levels can lead to multiple health problems.
posted by bunderful at 8:22 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Restaurants with poor health inspection ratings.
Farm-to-table restaurant with locally-sourced mushrooms. It's really easy to make a mistake with certain types of mushrooms, though that would be a quicker death.
Cyanide is found in several foods (almonds, apricot pits, cassava, and more), according to wikipedia, and chronic exposure to lower levels can lead to multiple health problems.
posted by bunderful at 8:22 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
A diet very high in predatory fish such as tuna and salmon can cause mercury poisoning
posted by phoenixy at 8:24 PM on February 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by phoenixy at 8:24 PM on February 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
As recently linked on the blue: many fruit juices have been found to contain arsenic, cadmium, and lead.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:25 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:25 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Highly-processed foods is a big one. Bonus: they're quite popular, too.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:25 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:25 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Water intoxication kills people all the time.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:45 PM on February 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:45 PM on February 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
Refined white sugar and refined white flour lead to diabetes.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 9:15 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 9:15 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Oxalic acid in many green vegetables, especially wild greens like nettle, can cause kidney problems.
posted by Jilder at 9:24 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Jilder at 9:24 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Fiddleheads cause stomach cancer. Don't eat fiddleheads kids.
posted by fshgrl at 9:40 PM on February 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by fshgrl at 9:40 PM on February 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
I was recently saddened to learn that French press coffee can lead to an increase in LDL cholesterol.
posted by rouftop at 9:56 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by rouftop at 9:56 PM on February 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
perhaps anything from the genus Solanum?
The Nightshade Family includes Aubergines, potatoes, & tomatoes (wolf peach). They could kill you if eaten improperly, or maybe make you ill.
posted by ovvl at 10:24 PM on February 11, 2019
The Nightshade Family includes Aubergines, potatoes, & tomatoes (wolf peach). They could kill you if eaten improperly, or maybe make you ill.
posted by ovvl at 10:24 PM on February 11, 2019
Bacon.
posted by Toddles at 10:28 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Toddles at 10:28 PM on February 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
To expand on ovvl's comment, LOTS of potatoes that have been sitting out for a while.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:37 PM on February 11, 2019
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:37 PM on February 11, 2019
Response by poster: So many of these are GREAT. But to be clear, I'm not looking for anything that kills them IN the restaurant. Nothing poisonous. Or makes you ill during or immediately after. In fact it's something that's really tasty and they thank you for it. But after the 20th serving they keel over at home of, according the FDA, completely natural causes. Because all this food is super legal to sell, serve and eat.
But the nitrates and fiddleheads are great as an example. I was still eating both of those.
posted by rileyray3000 at 1:03 AM on February 12, 2019
But the nitrates and fiddleheads are great as an example. I was still eating both of those.
posted by rileyray3000 at 1:03 AM on February 12, 2019
I have respect for fresh pineapple, because as you are eating it, it is also eating you.
https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/sciencecommunication/2012/10/07/the-flesh-eating-pineapple/
Also, I seem to remember an episode of "House" that was based on the dangers of high-levels of selenium and radium by eating too many Brazil nuts (hepatic and renal toxicity).
posted by alchemist at 1:12 AM on February 12, 2019
https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/sciencecommunication/2012/10/07/the-flesh-eating-pineapple/
Also, I seem to remember an episode of "House" that was based on the dangers of high-levels of selenium and radium by eating too many Brazil nuts (hepatic and renal toxicity).
posted by alchemist at 1:12 AM on February 12, 2019
As noted above, grapefruit juice reacts badly with lot of medications. So not deadly in itself, but possibly an accomplice?
posted by ninazer0 at 1:18 AM on February 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by ninazer0 at 1:18 AM on February 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
Burnt toast is one of the most carcinogenic foods you could eat, and many people do. Also anything smoked will have a dose of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are VERY carcinogenic.
posted by koolkat at 2:38 AM on February 12, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by koolkat at 2:38 AM on February 12, 2019 [1 favorite]
McDonalds.
posted by LaBellaStella at 3:45 AM on February 12, 2019
posted by LaBellaStella at 3:45 AM on February 12, 2019
The Heart Attack Grill may interest you. They seem to have had several related deaths.
posted by FencingGal at 4:45 AM on February 12, 2019
posted by FencingGal at 4:45 AM on February 12, 2019
Also, offer cigarettes after dinner.
posted by FencingGal at 4:46 AM on February 12, 2019
posted by FencingGal at 4:46 AM on February 12, 2019
Foods that say 0 grams trans fat on the label but actually still have a fraction which rounds to 0 - some types of shortening, margarine, coffee creamer, refrigerated biscuit and roll dough, frozen pizza, premade frosting, cookies and crackers, and others.
posted by lakeroon at 6:36 AM on February 12, 2019
posted by lakeroon at 6:36 AM on February 12, 2019
Water from Flint or any of the many other places with dodgy tap water be it due to old pipes, fracking or just terrible or no water treatment.
Also you will have to prise my burnt toast from my cold dead cancer ridden hands, specially when you drown it in lovely rich artery clogging butter.
I know a Danish woman that ended up in hospital from eating too much proper licorice, she ate 3 packs in a close space of time & had weird heart palpitations. You can end up with abnormal heart rhythms, edema & even congestive heart failure from eating large doses of it.
posted by wwax at 9:17 AM on February 12, 2019
Also you will have to prise my burnt toast from my cold dead cancer ridden hands, specially when you drown it in lovely rich artery clogging butter.
I know a Danish woman that ended up in hospital from eating too much proper licorice, she ate 3 packs in a close space of time & had weird heart palpitations. You can end up with abnormal heart rhythms, edema & even congestive heart failure from eating large doses of it.
posted by wwax at 9:17 AM on February 12, 2019
Cheese, possibly unpasteurized cheese and milk.
Large quantities - obesity is associated with increased risk of cancer, high risk of diabetes, heart disease. (Fat people who exercise can be reasonably healthy, but the numbers are there. Skinny people can be in bad health. Not fat-hating)
Animal fat, esp. red meat.
Sugar, again associated with many health issues, notably diabetes, so ice cream, cake with lots of frosting.
Tuna, farmed salmon, and fish in general have mercury, and are not recommended for very frequent consumption.
Salt - bad for people with high blood pressure.
posted by theora55 at 9:41 AM on February 12, 2019
Large quantities - obesity is associated with increased risk of cancer, high risk of diabetes, heart disease. (Fat people who exercise can be reasonably healthy, but the numbers are there. Skinny people can be in bad health. Not fat-hating)
Animal fat, esp. red meat.
Sugar, again associated with many health issues, notably diabetes, so ice cream, cake with lots of frosting.
Tuna, farmed salmon, and fish in general have mercury, and are not recommended for very frequent consumption.
Salt - bad for people with high blood pressure.
posted by theora55 at 9:41 AM on February 12, 2019
The cytotoxic coumarin present in Cassia cinnamon has been linked to liver disease by numerous studies.
posted by diode at 9:56 AM on February 12, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by diode at 9:56 AM on February 12, 2019 [1 favorite]
All foods are bad for you. Oxygen is bad for you. Everything you do or ingest in your life is breaking down your body in various ways that eventually lead to your death.
posted by runcibleshaw at 11:18 AM on February 12, 2019
posted by runcibleshaw at 11:18 AM on February 12, 2019
Fried Rice, made from some badly stored leftover rice.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:13 PM on February 12, 2019
posted by spinifex23 at 5:13 PM on February 12, 2019
20 Foods That Are Bad For Your Health There are loads of similar articles; I searched unhealthiest foods.
posted by theora55 at 5:33 PM on February 12, 2019
posted by theora55 at 5:33 PM on February 12, 2019
I assume this is supposed to be amusing, not some kind of âawareness raisingâ thing? If so, I would go with extreme exaggeration: âcup of boiling grease,â âstewed sharks teeth with cigar butts,â and âlive bobcat under glass,â for instance. Because, face it, most of the âdangerous foodâ weâre constantly warned about isnât very dangerousâat best itâs an at-the-margins kind of danger (with the exception of spoiled and improperly-processed foodsâthose can be very dangerous).
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 8:45 PM on February 12, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 8:45 PM on February 12, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'm pretty sure the word we have for "things you can eat that guarantee death" is "poisons". The cancer-type ideas are statistically likely to cause someone to be more likely to die over decades, not the kind of fun clever "die a month later" stuff. Not sure which you're looking for here.
Death Cap mushrooms might be on that "clever" list because it's a poison that takes days to have an effect. And if it were hidden in the food the person might not realize what it was to point back to the restaurant. Still only a few days, so it would show up in later investigation of the deaths, though.
posted by Lady Li at 12:26 PM on February 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Death Cap mushrooms might be on that "clever" list because it's a poison that takes days to have an effect. And if it were hidden in the food the person might not realize what it was to point back to the restaurant. Still only a few days, so it would show up in later investigation of the deaths, though.
posted by Lady Li at 12:26 PM on February 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
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