"The claim that "all plants are poisonous," as sometimes asserted by proponents of the carnivore diet, is an overgeneralization and not accurate when taken at face value. However, there is a nuanced conversation to be had about plant compounds and their effects on human health.
Plants produce a wide range of chemical compounds, some of which can be harmful to humans and other animals. These compounds can serve as defense mechanisms against pests, herbivores, and diseases. Some well-known examples include alkaloids (found in nightshade vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes), oxalates (in spinach and rhubarb), and glucosinolates (in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts).
However, the presence of these compounds in plants does not make all plants poisonous or harmful to all individuals. Many of these compounds can be neutralized or reduced through cooking, and the levels present in a typical diet are not harmful to most people. In fact, some of these compounds have been found to have health benefits in small quantities, acting as antioxidants or playing roles in the prevention of certain diseases.
The impact of plant compounds on health can vary widely among individuals, depending on factors like genetics, gut microbiome, and overall health. For some people, particularly those with certain health conditions such as autoimmune diseases or digestive issues, reducing or eliminating certain plant foods may lead to symptom improvement. This is the basis of elimination diets, which are used to identify food sensitivities or intolerances.
The carnivore diet, which excludes all plant foods, is an extreme form of elimination diet. Some individuals report improvements in specific health issues when adopting this diet, possibly due to the elimination of foods to which they are sensitive or intolerant. However, long-term health effects of such a diet are not well-studied, and it may lead to nutrient deficiencies if not carefully managed.
In summary, while it's true that plants produce compounds that can be harmful in certain contexts, the statement that all plants are poisonous oversimplifies a complex topic. Most plant foods can be safely consumed by the majority of people and play important roles in a balanced and nutritious diet. As with any dietary choice, individual needs and responses should be considered, and professional guidance may be beneficial for those considering significant dietary changes."
LOL, just having fun. I don't agree with A.I. all the time, but I also don't agree with the blanket idea that "all plants are poisonous". It's more complicated than that. Of course, for-profit carnivore authors and influencers tend to want you to go to the extreme end on that position. Except Saladino, author of the Carnivore Code - who now eats plants (fruits) every day. ; )
You don't have to agree. Facts don't care about your feelings. Oxalates, lectins, phytic acid, isothiocyanates, mycotoxins and aflatoxins are just the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands in every plant that people consider "food."
Saladino eats fruits everyday, because fruits are the least poisonous part of a plant; unless you consider fructose a poison. Fructose is, actually, a poison and is not essential to thrive as a human.
Nope, wrong! GPT-4 doesn't agree with you.:
"The claim that "all plants are poisonous," as sometimes asserted by proponents of the carnivore diet, is an overgeneralization and not accurate when taken at face value. However, there is a nuanced conversation to be had about plant compounds and their effects on human health.
Plants produce a wide range of chemical compounds, some of which can be harmful to humans and other animals. These compounds can serve as defense mechanisms against pests, herbivores, and diseases. Some well-known examples include alkaloids (found in nightshade vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes), oxalates (in spinach and rhubarb), and glucosinolates (in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts).
However, the presence of these compounds in plants does not make all plants poisonous or harmful to all individuals. Many of these compounds can be neutralized or reduced through cooking, and the levels present in a typical diet are not harmful to most people. In fact, some of these compounds have been found to have health benefits in small quantities, acting as antioxidants or playing roles in the prevention of certain diseases.
The impact of plant compounds on health can vary widely among individuals, depending on factors like genetics, gut microbiome, and overall health. For some people, particularly those with certain health conditions such as autoimmune diseases or digestive issues, reducing or eliminating certain plant foods may lead to symptom improvement. This is the basis of elimination diets, which are used to identify food sensitivities or intolerances.
The carnivore diet, which excludes all plant foods, is an extreme form of elimination diet. Some individuals report improvements in specific health issues when adopting this diet, possibly due to the elimination of foods to which they are sensitive or intolerant. However, long-term health effects of such a diet are not well-studied, and it may lead to nutrient deficiencies if not carefully managed.
In summary, while it's true that plants produce compounds that can be harmful in certain contexts, the statement that all plants are poisonous oversimplifies a complex topic. Most plant foods can be safely consumed by the majority of people and play important roles in a balanced and nutritious diet. As with any dietary choice, individual needs and responses should be considered, and professional guidance may be beneficial for those considering significant dietary changes."
LOL, just having fun. I don't agree with A.I. all the time, but I also don't agree with the blanket idea that "all plants are poisonous". It's more complicated than that. Of course, for-profit carnivore authors and influencers tend to want you to go to the extreme end on that position. Except Saladino, author of the Carnivore Code - who now eats plants (fruits) every day. ; )
You don't have to agree. Facts don't care about your feelings. Oxalates, lectins, phytic acid, isothiocyanates, mycotoxins and aflatoxins are just the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands in every plant that people consider "food."
Saladino eats fruits everyday, because fruits are the least poisonous part of a plant; unless you consider fructose a poison. Fructose is, actually, a poison and is not essential to thrive as a human.