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Vietnam boasts numerous local delicacies that enchant food enthusiasts. However, despite their delectable taste, indulging in excessive quantities of the following delicacies can pose health risks due to their ingredients.
Let's explore 10 Vietnamese delicacies that are mouthwatering yet potentially harmful below!
Shrimp paste is notorious for causing diarrhea
Shrimp paste is one of the main culprits causing diarrhea and poisoning due to poor hygiene conditions. In eateries, shrimp paste is often stored and prepared in unhygienic conditions, making it prone to harmful microorganisms. Particularly, pregnant women should avoid shrimp paste due to their weakened immune system, making it harder to fend off bacterial infections.
Salted vegetables like pickled cucumbers and eggplants are carcinogenic to the stomach
Pickled cucumbers and eggplants are common summer dishes in Vietnamese households, often eaten with soup to enhance flavor. However, these salted vegetables lack significant nutritional value and can instead produce toxins, leading to various dangerous diseases, including stomach cancer. This risk is especially high with pickled cucumbers and eggplants.
If stored in porcelain or ceramic containers made from clay contaminated with heavy metals, salted vegetables like pickled cucumbers and eggplants can become tainted with lead or mercury. Additionally, if stored in plastic containers, salted vegetables can contain acid, which is harmful to health.
Fermented pork rolls can harbor mold and bacteria, leading to illness
Fermented pork rolls are a delicacy found in many regions across the country, known by various names but prepared similarly. Made from raw pork mixed with ground rice, garlic, and chili, after fermenting for three days, they are ready to eat. Being naturally fermented, without cooking, fermented pork rolls are at risk of mold and bacterial contamination. It's advisable not to consume expired fermented pork rolls or during days of digestive discomfort.
Fresh bamboo shoots can be toxic if not properly prepared
Fresh bamboo shoots are a popular dish, known for their mild flavor and versatility in cooking. However, they contain high levels of cyanide, which when combined with digestive enzymes, can turn into a toxic substance for the body. To safely consume bamboo shoots, they need to be detoxified by soaking in lime water and boiling multiple times.
Blood pudding can lead to blood-borne infections and tapeworms
Though not many indulge in blood pudding, those who do are often addicted to this somewhat gruesome dish. Being raw, it carries a high risk of causing diseases. Reasons could range from unhygienic processing or the animals (pigs, ducks) carrying disease-causing organisms. Potential illnesses from consuming raw blood include pig cystitis, blood-borne infections, brain tissue inflammation, and tapeworms. Therefore, if you crave this dish, it's best to select and prepare it at home.
Fermented soy sauce can lead to head and neck cancer
Many are startled to learn that naturally fermented soy sauce is one of the leading causes of head and neck cancer. During traditional soy sauce production, countless species of fungi reside on the fermenting containers, potentially including Aspergillus flavus, which is known to cause cancer, especially if the containers are not cleaned before use.
Preserved eggs of chicken and duck can lead to cancer
Preserved eggs of chicken and duck, with their rich and creamy taste, are a favorite dish for many. However, few are aware that preserved eggs can be one of the foods that lead to cancer. They are the part responsible for producing lymph nodes, containing harmful bacteria and germs detrimental to health.
Snails can cause cholera and diarrhea
Snails are not a harmful seafood; on the contrary, they are a nutritious food. However, what's noteworthy is that the unhygienic processing in sidewalk stalls harbors many risks of dangerous diseases, especially cholera and diarrhea. Therefore, if possible, you should prepare them at home to eliminate bacteria thoroughly.
Mixed rice paper salad can lead to digestive system diseases
Mixed rice paper salad is made from a variety of ingredients such as shrimp salt, peanuts, dried beef, green mango, quail eggs, beef liver... and eaten immediately without any processing. This is the reason for causing digestive system diseases if the aforementioned ingredients are not guaranteed. Street vendors often use cheap ingredients of unknown origin, which can cause digestive system diseases and spread various types of worms and parasites... In addition, directly eating from plastic bags is a common practice that can pose long-term cancer risks.
Frog meat can cause poisoning due to bufotoxin
Folklore suggests that children eating frog meat can be healthy and grow quickly. However, there have been many cases of hospitalization due to frog meat poisoning. Due to the toxins bufotoxin and other substances abundant in the liver, eggs, and skin of frogs, if these toxins are not thoroughly cooked, they can remain and pose a danger to those who consume them. If consumed in large quantities, 1 to 2 hours after consumption, the toxins can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, respiratory failure, and asphyxia.
Being labeled as a delicacy, it often carries enticing flavors that make us eager to indulge. However, this shouldn't lead to complacency regarding our health. Let's learn what to do right!
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Published by: Nên Võ
Keywords: 10 Vietnamese delicacies that are delicious but dangerous when consumed excessively
