A medical doctor, simply identified as Wales, has warned Nigerians about the health risks of consuming rotten tomatoes and peppers, commonly referred to as ‘eesa’ or ‘baaje’ tomatoes in Yoruba.
In a viral social media clip, Wales highlighted the dangers posed by harmful microorganisms such as fungi in these rotten vegetables, which produce mycotoxins that can lead to cancer.
Showing a plate of rotten tomatoes, the doctor noted that economic hardship should not drive people to consume “poison.”
He said, “Fellow Nigerians, good morning. I know that, because of the economy, you are saving money on so many things. But please, if you see this thing (rotten tomatoes and peppers) in the market, run away. Just because we are in a ‘rogbodiyan’ (tough) economy does not mean you should start eating poison, because this type of tomato can cause cancer.
“Fresh tomatoes are vegetables rich in Vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. Rotten tomatoes, however, aren’t fresh in any way but are soft pieces of piled tomatoes sold at cheaper prices to people who cannot afford the fresher options.
“And, because they are broken, this type of tomatoes are easily accessible to flies, which deposit germs and eggs inside them. But, that’s not the worst part. As these tomatoes break, microorganisms invade them, causing them to rot. Among these microorganisms are fungi known to produce something known as mycotoxins. Meanwhile, mycotoxins have been linked to cancers and induction of immune deficiency in humans. And, because tomatoes contain lots of fluid, these mycotoxins spread faster to all parts of the tomatoes.”
Wales also cautioned that boiling and washing the tomatoes would not eliminate the mycotoxins, which can cause cancer as well as kidney and liver damage.
