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Did you know that not all vegetables are safe to eat raw? Although vegetables are an essential component of a healthy diet, not all of them can be consumed uncooked. In fact, there is a very popular vegetable that, when consumed raw, can be dangerous for your health due to the presence of toxic compounds that are eliminated only when cooking it. In this video, we explain which vegetable you should never eat raw , what risks are involved in consuming it without cooking, and how you can enjoy it safely and healthily. Stay until the end to discover crucial information for your health! 1. Which vegetable should you never eat raw? The vegetable we are talking about is eggplant . Eggplant contains a toxin called solanine , a chemical substance that is also found in other Solanaceae such as potatoes. Solanine is a glycoside that, in large quantities, can cause symptoms of poisoning such as abdominal pain , nausea , vomiting , and headache . Although solanine levels in eggplant are low, eating it raw could result in enough of it to cause discomfort, especially if you are sensitive to this compound. 2. Why raw eggplant can be dangerous? The solanine present in eggplant acts as a natural defense mechanism of the plant, protecting it from insects and predators. In humans, however, it can cause several symptoms of poisoning if consumed in large quantities. This is why it is always recommended to cook eggplant before consuming it, as heat destroys solanine and makes eggplant completely safe and delicious to enjoy. 3. Symptoms of solanine poisoning Consuming raw eggplant in large quantities or in sensitive individuals can cause a number of symptoms including: Abdominal pain and stomach upset Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Headaches and dizziness