Cook, stir, fry! 9 vegetables you should not eat raw

Potatoes  Raw potatoes contain solanine, a natural toxin that can be harmful when consumed in large amounts. It can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

Cabbage Although raw cabbage is often used in salads and sandwiches due to its crunchy flavour, it can harbour harmful bacteria like E.coli or Salmonella. Thus, it should be cooked thoroughly.

Eggplant Eggplants contain solanine, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and other digestive issues when consumed raw. Cooking it not only removes solanine but also enhances its flavour and texture. 

Capsicum Remember to remove the crown, deseed a capsicum and run it under hot water, because the seeds can also be home to tapeworm eggs, which survive inside the fruit.

Spinach Spinach, despite its nutritional benefits, can sometimes carry E.coli bacteria that lead to stomach aches and other digestive problems. Cooking spinach prevents the growth of E.coli bacteria and also releases more nutrients for your body to absorb. 

Broccoli Although it is fine to eat broccoli in its raw state, cooking improves the amount of glucosinolates, anti-carcinogenic compounds. It's important to note that those with thryoid issues do best to avoid raw broccolidue to high levels of goitrogens.

Brussel sprouts While Brussels sprouts are a nutrient-rich vegetable, cooking them makes them easier to digest. Roasting or sauteing Brussels sprouts not only enhances their flavour but also makes them easier on the stomach.

Mushrooms Mushrooms in the raw form contain chitin, which has the potential to upset your digestive system. Thus, it is best to cook them. Roasting or grilling mushrooms adds a smoky taste to it. 

Tomatoes Fresh tomatoes taste like heaven in salads and sandwiches. But it turns out that they have more of the antioxidant lycopene when they are cooked.

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