Discover The Most Common Parasites In Food

Parasites in food are several microorganisms that can pose a risk to human health.

They are ingested through the diet and  have the ability to colonize some sections of the intestinal tract or generate harmful toxins. It is important to know which ones are the most common, and be aware of the necessary measures to avoid consuming them.

It is worth noting that one of the most common reasons for going to the emergency room is food poisoning. This situation is usually the result of poor hygiene, which ends up with the intake of pathogens, which cause digestive problems.

However, some of them can develop allergic processes and affect vital organs such as the liver. What other dangers can they cause?

In this article we will tell you more about them.

The danger of parasites in food

In many cases, humans ingest parasites in food without being aware of their presence in food due to their small size. It is also possible that the product only contains eggs from the pathogen, which will hatch in the intestinal tract to cause short-term damage.

This is perhaps one of the most complicated cases to treat, as  parasites settle inside the person and cause constant health problems. It is important to note that this variety of organisms can evolve into very different foods. They can appear in fresh products, but also in canned food.

It is relatively common to find them in meat that has not been through proper treatment, or even in some types of fish. Once they have developed inside the body, they can spread through contact, especially if there is poor hand hygiene.

The primary parasites in food

An article published in Advances in Food and Nutrition Research mentions that  food-borne parasites are one of the most neglected groups of pathogens. This is due to their complexity and high prevalence in marginalized populations. In recent years, they have spread to other population groups and have produced unexpected symptoms.

What are the most common parasites in foods? And how can the risk of infection be reduced? It is very important to answer these questions so we will give you more details below.

Taenia solium

Taenia is also known as the “tapeworm”. It is a microorganism that we primarily find in pork that has not been through proper treatment or cleaning during the process that takes place in a slaughterhouse.

As a result of ingesting infected foods, tapeworms can develop inside the intestines. They have a worm-like appearance and have the ability to ingest the nutrients that we ingest through our diet.

According to a study published in the journal Parasite Immunology, it  can cause gradual weight loss in humans. This, of course, leads to a subsequent state of malnutrition.

Echinococcus granulosus

It is usually a parasite that lives in the intestines of dogs. However, research has shown that it can also spread to humans from the intake of infected meat from other animals such as pigs.

It is an organism that resembles tapeworms, even though it is small. It consumes protein, which  reduces the bioavailability of amino acids for human consumption. As a result, it damages health in a significant way.

Toxoplasma gondii

This parasite can cause toxoplasmosis in humans. It is a microorganism that primarily lives in cats, although  transmission to pregnant women causes negative consequences for the fetus.

The treatment of toxoplasmosis requires a number of drugs that are able to act on the synthesis of folic acid. The treatment therefore produces an impact on the life and reproductive cycle of the parasite.

In the clinical picture of toxoplasmosis  , flu-like symptoms such as fever stand out. This disease can even be life-threatening in the case of people with weakened immune systems.

Some research also suggests that infection with this pathogen may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia in the medium term.

Strategies to reduce risks

One of the most effective mechanisms to reduce the risk of developing foodborne parasites is to take extreme measures for food hygiene. In that sense  , it is important to perform proper rinsing of fresh produce except in the case of meat.

It is also important to ensure that you reach a high temperature inside the food you are cooking. This is because it is an effective mechanism to eliminate pathogens that may be inside the food.

At the same time  , one should never use the same utensils to handle raw and prepared foods. It is also important to clean cutlery properly and to wash your hands before touching food.

In case of exposing a food to freezing, always thaw it in the refrigerator afterwards and avoid leaving the product at room temperature. It can promote the hatching of any eggs that are inside it or on the surface.

Be aware of parasites in foods

It is relatively common to get an infection which is caused by parasites in food and it is a problem that can seriously affect human health. Not only does it affect the conversion of nutrients or the availability of nutrients, but it can also lead to liver damage and even a life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction.

In the case of pregnant women, certain poisonings are very dangerous  as they can endanger the life of the fetus. In that sense, we advise you to always use food of the best quality, which has been through hygiene control and has proper certifications.

At the same time, food must be prepared completely to ensure that any pathogen that lives inside is destroyed. In the case of storing products, one should use methods that are safe and that manage to keep the food in good condition to avoid reproduction of parasites.