Most examples are actually comforting But one food, nutmeg, raised some red flags. Whether you like a sprinkle of nutmeg in your coffee or just on holiday desserts, this news is understandably nerve-wracking.
As it turns out, the science is unclear as to how much of the spice is actually harmful, but there are plenty of examples of its dangerous effects when consumed in large doses. Dating back as far as the 12th century, nutmeg has been used in waves as a drug, snorted, smoked, and eaten in large quantities to produce a hallucinogenic high. This results in side effects like nausea and dizziness, as well as what feels like a "two-day hangover," Dr.
People use nutmeg when preparing and cooking food, often choosing to flavor the following foods with it:.
People all over the world have used nutmeg in cooking, and it has also played a role in traditional remedies. In Asia, it has served as a traditional medicine for treating stomach cramps, diarrhea , and rheumatism.
Researchers have also reported that nutmeg can have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as effects on the central nervous system. They have, however, noted that nutmeg intoxication can cause serious symptoms and side effects. The more serious symptoms usually occur after a person has consumed a larger amount of nutmeg or combined it with other harmful substances.
Myristicin is the chemical compound in nutmeg that causes nutmeg intoxication. It also occurs naturally in the essential oils present in certain plants, including parsley and dill. When a person consumes myristicin, the body metabolizes it, forming 3-methoxy-4,5 methylenedioxyamphetamine MMDA. People with nutmeg intoxication experience a variety of symptoms, including drowsiness and hallucinations. There is, however, only a small amount of research on nutmeg intoxication.
One study looked at cases of nutmeg poisoning at the Illinois Poison Center. The researchers reviewed the literature over a year period and looked at 32 documented cases. They found that the most common symptoms of nutmeg poisoning included:. Another case study involved a year-old female who consumed 2 teaspoons roughly 10 grams of nutmeg. She presented at the emergency department with symptoms that included confusion, incoherent speech, and drowsiness.
The symptoms above usually occur within 3—8 hours of the person ingesting the nutmeg and can last for roughly 10 hours. It's frequently used in spiced desserts and drinks like eggnog , and a pinch can be added to creamy and cheesy sauces and dishes. It can also be used as part of a spice mix in savory meat and vegetarian dishes. Nutmeg contains a substance called myristicin , a narcotic with very unpleasant toxic side effects if taken in large quantities.
Myristicin can be found in a number of other spices and plants but is present in higher amounts in nutmeg. Ingestion of small amounts of nutmeg is harmless to the body, including the amounts called for in all standard recipes. However, the consumption of more than 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg at once can cause side effects like wild hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat within one to six hours after ingestion.
Effects can last for several hours, and, when a large amount is used, can lead to organ failure. Pregnant women should not ingest large amounts of nutmeg as they risk birth defects or miscarriage. Nutmeg can be especially dangerous when mixed with other drugs since it can change how drugs are processed by the liver. Combining large amounts of nutmeg and other drugs has, on rare occasions, been linked to death. The effects of nutmeg have not been extensively studied and reported cases of nutmeg poisoning are rare.
If a child suddenly becomes withdrawn or segregates himself from the group, Lopez said these behavioral problems deserve attention. If you or someone you know has poison or drug concerns, call the Poison Control Center telephone number at to connect to your local poison center.
People can remain anonymous when walking into the center, calling or doing a live chat. We'll notify you here with news about. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Comments 0. Top Stories. CEO who threw chair inside Capitol on Jan. ABC News Live.
0コメント