Humans are the only animals that consciously expose themselves to highly toxic substances while eating. In fact, the pufferfish is the epitome of human vanity, where exposure to deadly toxins becomes a culinary attraction. No other animal species does this. And if we play with highly toxic substances, it's clear that we care even less about the slightly less toxic ones. It's as if humans are saying that only death is an interesting attraction for tourists.

Unfortunately for us, many less attractive toxins are all around us. Although they may not kill us immediately, at least not in the short term, they are still extremely dangerous.

1. Cashews

Why do you think some people are allergic to nuts? The truth is, we all are, but in some people, the symptoms appear sooner. Cashews contain a highly toxic allergen called urushiol, which causes painful skin rashes.

2. Potatoes

Potatoes that begin to sprout and the green, unripe parts of potatoes contain solanine. Though present in small quantities, it's enough to cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. But don't worry too much—it would take eating 2 kilograms of such potatoes a day to cause these effects.

3. Tomatoes

Green and unripe tomatoes, like potatoes, contain the dangerous toxin solanine. Solanine affects the nervous system, hinders digestion, and besides causing headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea, it can even lead to seizures.

4. Farmed Salmon

Did you know that salmon contains 13 toxic substances, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which suppress the immune system, affect the skin, liver, kidneys, and nervous system, and are also highly carcinogenic? The worst part is that these toxins cause mutations in the body, which is particularly dangerous for children's health. Here's the good news: if you eat farmed salmon twice a month, it won't harm your health. Furthermore, wild salmon contains up to 10 times fewer harmful substances.

5. Rhubarb Leaves

Not everything green is healthy. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which has a devastating effect on the kidneys. It causes shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhea, eye pain, a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, and red-colored urine.

6. Elderberries

Elderberries contain a lot of cyanide. The highest concentration is in the leaves and stems, with a little less in the seeds. Improperly prepared elderberries or undercooked berries can cause diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, a drastic drop in blood pressure, and difficulty breathing. If your blood pressure fluctuates, products made from elderberries can be particularly risky for you.

7. Nutmeg

Myristicin is a psychoactive substance that reduces brain cell function, impairs the transmission of nerve signals, and causes unpleasant hallucinations. If you consume more than 5.6 grams, it can cause confusion, headaches, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, red eyes, memory disturbances, and in extreme cases, dehydration and death.

8. Honey

Raw, unpasteurized honey contains flower nectar, which has high levels of grayanotoxin. Although this substance rarely causes problems, when it does, it can disrupt cell receptors, suppress the central nervous system, and, in extreme cases, lead to death. Milder symptoms of grayanotoxin ingestion include sweating, weakness, dizziness, and vomiting. Many doctors advise against giving raw honey to children, and it's not entirely harmless for adults either. However, a single spoonful of honey a day won't hurt you. The body takes a day to rid itself of toxic substances.

9. Tuna

Some species of fish and shellfish contain high levels of mercury. This is particularly problematic in Brazil, China, and Canada, which are the world's largest exporters of tuna. In these countries, statistics show that 17 out of 1,000 children are poisoned by mercury from tuna and suffer from mental disorders. Mercury is a dangerous compound for the digestive system, kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should be especially cautious. During the most sensitive phases of growth, it's even recommended to avoid it altogether.

10. Popcorn

Popcorn contains diacetyl, which, when microwaved, releases toxic fumes. The worst part is that diacetyl is harmful even when inhaled, and you inhale a lot of it when you open a bag of freshly microwaved popcorn. Although the amounts are small, there was one known case in the last 10 years of a man who made popcorn twice a day and died from diacetyl poisoning. Still, it's best to avoid popcorn, especially for small children.