Is plant food harmful?

Can vegetarian and vegan foods like potatoes, nuts, fruit, and spinach be a wolf in sheep's clothing?

In a time when plant-based foods are receiving enormous attention as “healthy” and “sustainable,” it can be difficult to question their real impact on health. Many have been sold on the idea that vegetables, fruits and other plant products are “best for the body”, as a natural path to health and well-being.

But while these foods may look healthy and fresh on the surface, they can contain hidden dangers that can harm the body over time. In a world where we are bombarded with propaganda about the benefits of a plant-based diet, it is important to take a closer look at what plant-based foods really do to us, and why a diet rich in meat and animal products can be far better for our health.

Plant foods are often presented as the natural and healthy choice, and the idea that we can achieve better health through a plant-based diet is widely spread.

But the reality is far more complex. Many plants contain toxins and anti-nutrients that our bodies are not designed to handle in large quantities. For example, beans and lentils contain lectins, which can damage the intestines and disrupt digestion if not cooked properly. The almonds we often see as healthy may contain Amygdalin, which at high levels releases cyanide into the body. And potatoes, despite their seemingly innocent exterior, can contain solanine, which is toxic when consumed in large quantities.

The fact is that serious cases of potato poisoning are reported every year, sometimes even with fatal outcomes.

But what happens when we eat these plants over a long period of time? For some people, long-term exposure to these substances can lead to health problems such as indigestion, leaky gut syndrome, allergies, and even hormonal disruptions. Endocrine disruptors found in soy products can cause puberty problems in children and hormonal imbalances in adults.

This is not something you necessarily see immediately, but the long-term effects can be harmful and even irreversible.

Propaganda against meat

When we look at how society has evolved to favor plants over meat, it is difficult to ignore the massive propaganda campaign that has been waged against the meat industry, and for plant-based foods.

For decades, we have been falsely told that meat is unhealthy, that it contributes to diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and, incredibly, that cows are destroying the planet. This has led to a massive movement to promote plant-based diets as the healthy solution to a better life.

None of these claims have been supported by scientific evidence, only woolly hypotheses and self-fulfilling, low-quality studies. It is clear that a diet based on whole foods, made from pure animal products, can be far more healthful than many people believe.

While some may feel great shortly after switching to a plant-based diet, the hidden effects of the anti-nutrients and toxins in plant foods, not to mention the very significant nutritional deficiencies, can lead to long-term health problems that can be difficult to detect until it's too late.

For many, returning to a diet rich in meat and animal products can lead to a noticeable improvement in both digestion and overall health, making us stronger and more resilient.

Perhaps it's time to start questioning the advice we've been given about food, and really understand what we're putting into our bodies. Meat and animal products have historically been our main source of nutrition, and at a time when we're trying to understand what's really good for us, choosing a diet that focuses on meat could be a path to better health, free from the hidden dangers of modern plant-based diets.

Potentially harmful plant foods

The WHO has a list of substances that can be harmful, and several of these are found in some plant-based foods. Here are some specific examples:

1. Kidney beans (and other beans): Kidney beans, especially when raw or not properly cooked, contain a toxin called phytohemagglutinin. This is a protein that can cause severe food poisoning, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. When beans are cooked, the levels of this substance are drastically reduced, but if they are not cooked at a high temperature for a sufficient time, they can still be dangerous. WHO warns of the risk of food poisoning from consuming incompletely cooked beans. Deaths have occurred.

2. Almonds: Almonds contain Amygdalin, which can release cyanide when metabolized in the body. This is a toxic substance that can cause serious poisoning if ingested in high doses. While bitter almonds (which are not commercially available in large quantities) contain higher levels of amygdalin, small amounts are also found in the sweeter varieties commonly consumed. There is usually no risk of poisoning with moderate amounts, but large amounts can be harmful. Cooking with heat can reduce the levels of cyanide-releasing substances.

3. Green Potatoes: Potatoes that are green or have been exposed to light may contain high levels of solanine, a toxic alkaloid that can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, stomach pain and in severe cases even coma. Solanine is formed as a protective mechanism when potatoes are exposed to sunlight or stored in hot conditions. The WHO warns against eating green potatoes or those with sprouts. It is important to peel the potatoes well and remove any green spots before cooking.

4. Soy products: Soy milk, tofu and other soy products contain phytoestrogens, which are plant-based compounds that can mimic estrogen in the body. While moderate amounts of soy products are considered safe for most people, excessive consumption can affect hormone balance, especially in people who have hormonal problems or are sensitive to estrogens. The WHO has discussed the potential health risks of high intake of soy products, but it is also important to note that this is only relevant in cases of excessive consumption.

5. Lentils and other legumes: Like beans, lentils also contain lectins – proteins that can be toxic in large quantities. Lectins are also found in other legumes and can cause digestive problems and even inhibit the absorption of nutrients. This can be avoided by proper preparation, for example by soaking and cooking lentils thoroughly, as heat treatment significantly reduces lectin levels.

6. Nightshades: Plants in the nightshade family, known as nightshades, include tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and eggplants. You can easily recognize them by their small "elf hat» – can you imagine that? These contain natural compounds like alkaloids and lectins, which can trigger inflammation and worsen autoimmune conditions in some people. Nightshades often appear as healthy and “natural” choices, but for many, they are a hidden source of stomach problems, joint pain, and other inflammatory ailments. Eliminating these from your diet can reveal significant health benefits, especially if you have a sensitive stomach or autoimmune challenges.

The potential health risks of vegetarian/vegan foods underscore the importance of proper preparation. Some of the toxic substances found in plants can be neutralized through cooking methods such as soaking, thorough boiling, and peeling, and by avoiding exposure to light or heat during storage.

For some, however, total abstinence is the only way to get rid of the symptoms.

Hormonal disturbances of a vegetarian diet

Could it be that the ever-increasing incidence of gender incongruence and gender dysphoria, that is, not feeling at home in one's body, with one's physiological gender, is related to the enormous amounts of soy we eat in modern times?

Of course, there are many factors involved, including other chemicals we are exposed to, such as pesticides and so on, but soy is used as an additive in large quantities in factory foods, i.e. processed foods. Even though we think we don't eat soy, it is a large part of a typical modern diet, just hidden, if you don't read the ingredient lists.

Phytoestrogens are milder than synthetic hormones, but there are real concerns that young people in particular may be sensitive to such effects. What we do know for sure is that soy, and thus the plant version of the female sex hormone estrogen, was not at all part of the human diet until very recently.

Early puberty in girls:

Phytoestrogens have the potential to affect hormone regulation in the body, and there have been concerns that high intake of soy products during childhood may accelerate puberty in girls. However, there is no consensus among researchers about the magnitude of the risk, and several studies have been inconclusive. Some studies have suggested that children who consume large amounts of soy products may have a higher risk of early puberty, while other studies have found no significant association.

Breast growth in boys:

In the case of boys, there have been concerns that the phytoestrogenic compounds in soy may lead to the development of breast tissue, a condition known as gynecomastia. Phytoestrogens can mimic estrogen, and in men who have lower levels of this hormone, there may be a possibility of hormonal imbalances being disrupted, which in rare cases can lead to unwanted breast growth. There have been some reports of young boys developing gynecomastia after high intake of soy products, but again it is unclear how great the risk is.

SOURCES

Photo: Shutterstock license

Anyone can comment by logging in with their Facebook or Google accounts.. Norwegian Carnivory is not health care. You must seek medical attention for medical problems.

Written 2025 © Norwegian Carnivory