Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2013 13:21:16 GMT 7
Health Department warns eating fried bugs might be fatal
BANGKOK, 16 October 2013 (NNT) – The Director General of the Department of Medical Sciences has disclosed an alarming fact that eating fried insects may cause fatalities due to a chemical substance contained in bugs.
Dr. Aphichat Mongkol, Director General of the Department of Medical Sciences, revealed that a chemical substance called Histamine can be fatal to those who have ingested too much of it.
Histamine is normally found in all sorts of foods; however, more of it can be found in those that are high in protein and food that is unclean. Generally the human body is able to cope with low levels of Histamine - usually about 100-200 mg/kg. However, ingesting food that is dirty or contaminated with bacteria can cause high levels of Histamine to enter the body.
Systems of too much Histamine can cause skin infection, rash, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting and asthma. The systems vary in different people and depend on the amount ingested. In serious cases, it can even cause death.
The Department of Medical Science has therefore issued a warning for the general public to avoid consuming fried insects - especially those who have a history of allergies or asthma. Furthermore, should people still feel the need to snack on the insects, it is advised that they should only consume the well-known varieties that are widely sold in the market.