Buzz
The term 'overdose' often conjures images of illegal narcotics. However, it's not just illicit substances or the misuse of prescription drugs that can overwhelm the system, leading to severe harm or even fatality. Even items deemed safe or beneficial can turn dangerous when consumed excessively.
The following list includes items that are either harmless or advantageous in moderation but can become lethal in larger doses. These seemingly innocuous substances have the potential to send you to the emergency room—or worse—if consumed irresponsibly.
10. Soy Sauce
In 2013, a 19-year-old from Virginia consumed 0.9 liters (1 quart) of soy sauce on a dare from his friends. This led to a coma and nearly fatal consequences due to the dangerously high sodium levels in his body.
Hypernatremia occurs when excessive salt accumulates in the bloodstream. As the blood becomes oversaturated with salt, it pulls water from other body tissues, including the brain, to dilute the salt concentration. This loss of water can cause the brain to shrink and potentially bleed.
Following the soy sauce incident, the Virginia teenager started experiencing seizures. His friends rushed him to the hospital, but he had already slipped into a coma upon arrival. Medical professionals treated him by flushing the excess salt from his system using a combination of water and sugar dextrose.
His sodium levels stabilized after five hours, but he remained unconscious for three days before naturally regaining consciousness. Doctors emphasized that the young man was fortunate to survive. He is the first known case of someone overdosing on such an extreme amount of salt and recovering without permanent neurological damage.
9. Tea
An Arkansas man experienced kidney failure after consuming excessive amounts of iced tea.
A 56-year-old individual consumed approximately 16 cups of iced tea daily, each measuring 240 milliliters (8 ounces). In May 2014, he was hospitalized due to symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and muscle pain. Medical professionals found his kidneys severely blocked and inflamed. He was placed on dialysis, a treatment he is likely to require indefinitely.
The kidney damage was attributed to oxalate, a naturally occurring chemical in black tea and foods like rhubarb and spinach. Excessive oxalate intake can harm the kidneys. The Arkansas man was ingesting 3–10 times the average American's oxalate levels.
The Harvard School of Public Health states that drinking up to four cups of tea daily is safe, but 16 cups is excessive.
8. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a seasonal favorite, but excessive use, such as adding more than 4.4 grams (2 teaspoons) to eggnog, can lead to toxicity.
Many individuals consume nutmeg in large quantities seeking a hallucinogenic experience. The spice contains myristicin, a natural compound that, in high doses, produces effects akin to those of LSD.
Teenagers and prison inmates often misuse nutmeg as a drug due to its easy availability. Despite being legal and accessible, the quantities needed to achieve a high can cause severe and unpleasant side effects.
Consuming excessive nutmeg leads to intense gastrointestinal distress within an hour. Hours later, individuals may experience heart and nervous system complications, posing significant risks for those with undetected heart conditions.
Hallucinations from nutmeg ingestion are delayed by several hours, which may prompt users to take more, mistakenly believing their initial dose was insufficient.
The use of nutmeg as a drug is not new. Cases of nutmeg intoxication were reported in the early 1900s, resurfaced in the 1960s, and have recently gained attention again.
7. Toothpaste
Excessive use of toothpaste can lead to serious consequences. In the early 1990s, toothpaste labels included simple warnings like, “Do Not Swallow. Use only a pea-sized amount for children under six.”
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) felt these warnings didn’t adequately highlight the risks of ingesting toothpaste. As a result, in 1997, a poison warning was mandated for toothpaste products containing fluoride.
Both the American Dental Association and toothpaste manufacturers viewed the FDA’s requirement as excessive. The FDA, however, maintained that fluoride, being a potentially toxic substance, warranted a clear and strong consumer warning.
Regardless of the debate over warning severity, swallowing toothpaste is ill-advised. While ingesting fluoride-free toothpaste might only cause stomach discomfort, consuming large amounts of fluoride-containing toothpaste can be deadly.
Children are at greater risk of fluoride poisoning due to their smaller body size, which makes them more vulnerable to even small amounts of the substance. A single tube of children’s fluoride toothpaste contains a lethal dose for a child weighing under 30 kilograms (66 lb). Ingesting just 3% of the tube can lead to acute fluoride poisoning, resulting in flu-like symptoms, dizziness, and stomach pain.
6. Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale, are nutrient-dense leafy greens praised for their antioxidants and health benefits. However, excessive consumption of these vegetables can lead to adverse effects.
In 2011, a man with a mechanical heart was hospitalized after consuming an excessive amount of Brussels sprouts during a Christmas dinner. He was on anticoagulants, but the high vitamin K content in the sprouts, which aids blood clotting, interfered with his medication.
The excess vitamin K neutralized the effects of his anticoagulants, causing sudden heart complications. Doctors identified the Brussels sprouts as the cause and treated him accordingly. Fortunately, he made a swift recovery.
Consuming excessive amounts of broccoli or kale can lead to hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces insufficient thyroid hormone. Nutrition experts emphasize that moderate consumption of cruciferous vegetables provides numerous health benefits. Negative effects arise only when these greens are eaten in large quantities. Individuals diagnosed with hypothyroidism are advised to avoid cruciferous vegetables entirely.
5. Star Fruit
Carambola, commonly known as star fruit, can cause significant harm if consumed in excess. For individuals with compromised kidney function, even a small portion can lead to kidney damage or failure.
Star fruit contains a toxin that can severely affect the renal system. While healthy kidneys can filter this toxin without issues, those with pre-existing kidney damage are strongly advised to avoid the fruit.
The fruit poses a particular risk to individuals unaware of early-stage kidney damage. Regular consumption of star fruit or drinking its juice on an empty stomach significantly increases the risk of toxicity, especially for those with existing kidney issues.
Symptoms of star fruit toxicity range from nausea, weakness, and insomnia to seizures and hiccups, with hiccups being the most common in mild cases. Severe cases may require dialysis, but kidney function often remains impaired even after treatment due to the damage caused.
4. Tuna
While warnings about tuna consumption often target pregnant women and small children, others are also at risk if they overindulge in sushi or other tuna-based dishes.
Mercury is present in raw, cooked, and canned tuna. Although most fish contain mercury, larger predatory fish like tuna have higher concentrations because they consume smaller fish, accumulating their mercury content.
Mercury is harmful to humans. While small amounts can be filtered out, excessive buildup leads to mercury poisoning. Early symptoms include poor coordination and numbness in extremities, progressing to tremors and vision issues. Chronic exposure can impair memory and learning, while severe cases may cause kidney failure, respiratory issues, and even death.
While many people know that excessive tuna consumption is harmful, they often don’t realize what constitutes “too much.” Varieties like albacore tuna contain particularly high mercury levels.
For individuals weighing 68 kilograms (150 lb) or more, the FDA advises limiting albacore tuna intake to one 170-gram (6 oz) can every nine days. Eating tuna every other day, such as in a sandwich, could easily lead to mercury poisoning.
3. Vitamins
Vitamins are meant to enhance health, but overconsumption of supplements can lead to cancers and other serious health issues.
Water-soluble vitamins are excreted through urine when consumed in excess. However, fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A accumulate in body fat and aren’t eliminated as easily. These can reach toxic levels, potentially causing liver damage, birth defects, nervous system disorders, and cancer.
In 1985, a clinical trial tested high doses of beta-carotene, a vitamin A supplement thought to lower cancer risk. The trial was halted early when the supplements unexpectedly increased cancer rates among participants. Male smokers taking beta-carotene had an 18% higher likelihood of developing lung cancer compared to those who didn’t.
A 2001 National Cancer Institute study yielded similar results. Researchers examined vitamin E’s potential to prevent prostate cancer but found that men taking the supplement were 17% more likely to develop the disease than those who didn’t.
Water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C are usually excreted before reaching toxic levels, but excessive intake can still cause issues such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and kidney stones.
2. Black Licorice
Black licorice can pose serious danger, particularly for individuals over 40. The FDA issued a warning earlier this year about the risks of regular or excessive consumption. This followed a 2016 case where frequent black licorice consumption was linked to heart problems in one individual.
Consuming just 57 grams (2 oz) of black licorice daily for two weeks—equivalent to about three 2.5-centimeter (1 in) pieces—can lead to heart issues. Black licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a compound that lowers potassium levels, increasing the risk of irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, and even congestive heart failure.
Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions face a greater risk of adverse effects from black licorice consumption.
1. Muscle Cream
While muscle creams can alleviate aches and pains, excessive use can have fatal outcomes.
Methyl salicylate, an anti-inflammatory agent in products like Bengay and Icy Hot, is used to relieve sore muscles. Although applied externally, it penetrates the skin, entering muscles, nerves, and the bloodstream.
In 2007, 17-year-old track athlete Arielle Newman died from an accidental methyl salicylate overdose. She frequently used muscle creams and adhesive pads containing the chemical.
Newman’s overdose resulted from consistently applying large amounts of the product over time, allowing methyl salicylate to accumulate to toxic levels in her body.
Applying muscle cream before a track meet likely contributed to her death. The physical exertion and heat opened her pores, increasing the absorption of the chemical.
