The
scorching summer heat can bring about a slew of health problems, and
incorporating a sufficient amount of fruits into your diet can be a wise
choice. However, it’s crucial to consider how these fruits are consumed and in
what form. Fruits and vegetables that are openly sold, such as cut fruits,
uncooked vegetables, and fruit juices prepared in unwashed utensils, can
potentially lead to various health issues.
During
India’s sweltering heat, people have the habit of quenching their thirst, going
for a quick bite, etc.; while doing so, they eat cut fruits and vegetables.
Though bottled water is available in the market, colored roadside-flavored
drinks are still openly sold and savored by many. Besides, cut fruits and
vegetables like cabbage are eaten delightfully and sometimes infested with
houseflies.
Why not eat?
Fruits
and vegetables, once cut, require immediate refrigeration. When left out in the
open, amidst dust, pollution, and germs, these cut products become a breeding
ground for bacteria. Eating such products can lead to serious health hazards.
Flies, known carriers of various diseases, often feed on open fruits and
vegetables, contaminating them. The risk of spoilage is significantly higher
for fruits left open rather than refrigerated.
Causes
As
if the heat is intolerable, leading to heat-related issues within the body, the
open-cut fruits and vegetables are a double whammy, and the body is susceptible
to certain diseases that lead to dysentery.
Also,
nutrients available in fruits are lost due to light, heat, and water. Vitamin C
in fruits is susceptible to these factors and can be lost once fruits are cut
and left open for longer. Refrigeration helps to slow down this process,
preserving the nutritional value of the fruits and vegetables.
Vegetables
like cabbage are grated and kept in the open only to be consumed later. The
unwashed product can have severe health consequences, leading to stomach
bloating, etc.
This is because uncooked vegetables,
especially when not properly washed, can contain harmful bacteria that can
cause digestive issues and other health problems.
E.
coli and salmonella are bacterial diseases caused by eating roadside fruits
that are never washed and kept open for long hours. The knife used to cut the
fruits can drag the bacteria into the fruit and contaminate it.
Symptoms
Foodborne
illnesses are expected during the summer months. Savoring unrefrigerated cut
fruits and vegetables may lead to various symptoms, including abdominal cramps,
fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In chronic cases, it can even lead to
typhoid and cholera, which require immediate medical attention.
Awareness is key
Many people suffer from
bacterial diseases due to non-awareness about the health hazards of consuming
open-cut fruits and vegetables. With limited tracking mechanisms, a thriving
business only adds to the burden on our health system. However, random checks
by the health department and increased awareness about the harmful effects of
consuming open-cut fruits can be a game changer in disease prevention.
