1. What is Cassava?
-
Cassava is a starchy root vegetable, also known as manioc or yuca.
-
It’s a staple food for over 800 million people worldwide, especially in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.
-
It’s cheap, drought-resistant, and calorie-dense, making it critical in regions with limited resources.
2. Why is it dangerous?
-
Cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides, primarily linamarin.
-
When cassava is improperly prepared, these compounds release cyanide when ingested.
-
Cyanide is highly toxic. Even small amounts can cause:
-
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
-
Dizziness or headache
-
Severe poisoning → can lead to death
-
-
Chronic low-level exposure can cause neurological disorders such as konzo, which is permanent paralysis in the legs.
3. How dangerous is it?
-
The WHO estimates 200+ deaths per year directly due to cassava poisoning.
-
Thousands more suffer chronic health effects from consuming poorly processed cassava regularly.
-
The risk is highest in poor, rural areas, where proper processing techniques are not always followed.
4. How do people safely eat it?
To reduce toxicity, cassava must be processed before consumption:
-
Peeling – removes outer skin where toxins are concentrated.
-
Soaking in water – several days to leach out cyanide.
-
Fermentation – further reduces cyanide levels.
-
Drying and cooking – boiling, baking, or frying destroys remaining toxins.
-
There are two types:
-
Sweet cassava – lower cyanide content; safer
-
Bitter cassava – high cyanide content; needs thorough processing
-
5. Why do millions still eat it?
-
It’s affordable and widely available.
-
In some regions, alternatives like rice or maize are scarce or expensive.
-
Traditional knowledge usually ensures safe preparation, but famine or shortcuts can lead to poisoning.
✅ Summary: Cassava is nutritious and life-sustaining, but if improperly prepared, it’s extremely dangerous due to cyanide poisoning. Despite its risks, it remains a staple for millions because of necessity and tradition.
If you want, I can also make a list of the top 5 most dangerous foods in the world with the same level of detail—it’s quite surprising! Do you want me to do that?
