Worms and parasites are one of the dangers to human health. They can live on foods and enter the body when we eat food that is not cleaned and cooked properly.

According to experts from the Institute of Malaria - Parasitology - Entomology in Ho Chi Minh City, intestinal flukes are small worms that parasitize the intestines of humans and some livestock, especially pigs. They can live in the intestines and leave eggs, which are released with waste and pollute the water source. The eggs continue to develop into larvae and find snails to parasitize. The larvae of the flukes continue to develop when parasitizing snails. Meanwhile, snails live attached to aquatic plants such as duckweed, water fern, lotus shoots, etc. When eating these aquatic vegetables, humans are also at risk of being infected with intestinal flukes, especially when food is not prepared properly.

4 types of vegetables that are 'nests' for worms

- Water spinach

There are types of water spinach grown on land and types grown underwater. Water spinach is often crispier, sweeter, and more flavorful than dry spinach. In addition, water spinach also grows quite quickly.

However, water spinach often contains more dirt and worms. In addition, many growers use stimulants to help the vegetables grow quickly and be harvested early. These substances all have negative effects on human health.

When eating water spinach, you must make sure to wash the vegetables many times with clean water, you can soak them in salt water to remove some of the dirt on the vegetables, contributing to killing parasites. You should eat cooked water spinach, avoid eating raw water spinach.

- Celery

There are two types of celery: dry celery (grown in dry fields) and water celery (grown in ponds and shallow water areas). Watercress often contains more worms than dry watercress because parasites easily grow, develop and spread in the water environment.

Therefore, before eating watercress, you must wash the vegetables thoroughly and soak them in salt water. In particular, you need to cook the watercress before eating. High temperature is the most effective way to kill parasites.

- Watercress

Watercress is a vegetable with high nutritional value, containing many vitamins, calcium and iodine. It has the effect of preventing diseases, helping to prevent cardiovascular disease, goiter, diuretic, detoxifying. In addition, watercress also contains a lot of fiber, good for the stomach, clearing the liver and gallbladder, reducing blood stasis...

However, watercress can contain quite a lot of worms if grown in a polluted water environment. Therefore, you need to wash the vegetables thoroughly and cook them before eating.

- Lotus shoots, lotus roots

Lotus shoots, lotus roots are nutritious foods containing lots of calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C, etc. However, lotus shoots and lotus roots are often found in mud, at the bottom of ponds, lakes, and lagoons, so they are easily home to dangerous parasites. You should wash lotus shoots thoroughly to remove mud and pathogens.