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The harm of pigs is an issue that still causes controversy between scientists and experienced mushroom pickers. Although many people tend to consider these mushrooms edible, science says that they should not be eaten and classifies pig mushrooms as poisonous.
The benefits and harms of pig mushrooms
Thin and fat pigs, common in Russia, naturally cause concern among many people. Officially, they belong to the category of inedible and poisonous mushrooms, although some mushroom pickers do not agree with this definition.
When consumed as food, pigs really pose a great danger. But this does not mean that fungi are not beneficial at all; they still have some valuable qualities:
- Mushrooms are classified as dietary products. The calorie content of pig mushrooms that have not undergone any processing is only 30 kcal; after boiling, this figure does not change. The percentage of fat is small, only 28%. There are even fewer carbohydrates - only 16.9%. At the same time, carbohydrates are absorbed almost instantly, it is impossible to gain weight from eating fungi, and they do not affect weight in any way.
- Mushroom pulp contains lecithin, a substance that prevents the accumulation of bad cholesterol in the body. Pig meats can have a positive effect on well-being if you are prone to cardiovascular diseases, as they strengthen blood vessels and have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the myocardium.
- Mushrooms contain fiber, which is good for digestion. Pork in the diet can normalize stool and help remove toxins from the body.
- Mushroom pulp is rich in antioxidants, important for human immunity. When consuming mushrooms, a person is less likely to succumb to colds and tolerates viruses and infections more easily.
- Mushrooms contain about 59% natural plant protein, so they supply the body with building material for muscles and generally have a strengthening effect.
Unfortunately, even with the presence of beneficial properties, mushrooms are predominantly harmful to human health:
- Mushrooms rot very quickly and begin to deteriorate within a few hours after collection; you can get poisoned by pigs simply due to the mushrooms losing their freshness.
- Pig mushrooms accumulate toxic substances incredibly quickly and powerfully; if the mushroom grows in an unfavorable area, then the content of heavy metals and radioactive compounds in its pulp will be even higher than in the soil. This is especially true for adult species.
- The pulp of pigs contains a toxic substance, muscarine, which is not destroyed by thermal exposure. The concentration of muscarine in mushrooms may vary depending on the area of growth. In some cases, there is so much toxic substance in the pulp that eating the mushroom leads to severe instant poisoning.
- Svinushki also contain other dangerous substances that negatively affect the composition of the blood - they also do not disappear after soaking and boiling. With long-term consumption of mushrooms, the harm from these substances can lead to severe damage to the liver and kidneys.
For all these reasons, since the 1980s, both thick and thin pig mushrooms have been classified as poisonous and dangerous mushrooms. In the mid-twentieth century, it was allowed to eat them, but further research forced scientists to change their minds regarding pigs.
Why are pigs dangerous?
Toxic mushrooms affect the human body differently than most other poisonous mushrooms. The mechanism of development of poisoning is very different from the traditional one; intoxication is usually delayed in time and appears only after repeated use of mushrooms in food.
Toxic substances present in the pulp of mushrooms accumulate in the body gradually. Over time, their concentration becomes quite high, then the process of destruction of red blood cells begins, which leads to disturbances in the functioning of the heart, liver and kidneys. It is impossible to clearly answer the question of how long it will take for intoxication to manifest itself in a particular person; it depends on age, on the state of health and characteristics of the body, on the volume of mushroom consumption.
Symptoms of pig poisoning
The onset of pig poisoning depends on the characteristics of a person’s immunity. Usually, after the first use, an allergic reaction develops, but there are no obvious signs of poisoning. If you are hypersensitive to this type of mushroom, a negative reaction may appear after 1-3 hours; in this case, it is strictly forbidden to consume pig mushrooms again.
Mild pig intoxication looks like classic fungal poisoning. Harm is expressed in the following symptoms:
- moderate to severe abdominal pain;
- nausea, vomiting and diarrhea;
- dehydration of the body;
- loss of strength and coldness of the extremities;
- pain in the lumbar region;
- mild renal or liver failure, not higher than 1 degree.
Clinical tests show increased levels of bilirubin and enzymes in the blood. With moderate poisoning, stage 2 liver and kidney failure may develop, in which case the level of nitrogen in the blood will increase, and the daily amount of urine excreted will decrease.
In severe poisoning, tests demonstrate the destruction of red blood cells, a sharp increase in creatinine and bilirubin. Acute liver and kidney failure lead to a sharp deterioration of the condition and even organic brain damage.
Seeing a doctor in case of pork poisoning is strictly necessary; a specialist will be able to assess the condition of the body and the degree of harm caused.In the absence of medical care, intoxication can lead not only to severe damage to the body, but even to death.
First aid for pig poisoning
Treatment for poisoning with pig mushrooms should be carried out in a hospital setting. Considering the increased harm of mushrooms to health, it is extremely important to place the patient under the supervision of a doctor and urgently carry out all the necessary tests.
However, before the doctors arrive, the victim’s condition can be alleviated with a few simple measures:
- In case of poisoning, the person must be given more clean drinking water and then vomited. Gastric lavage will help remove some of the toxic substances from the body before they have time to be absorbed into the tissues.
- The victim must be laid horizontally and not allowed to move; poisoning is often accompanied by confusion; in this state, the patient is dangerous to himself.
- To relieve symptoms, the victim can be offered an antiallergic drug, for example, Suprastin or Tavegil. Pig intoxication is an atypical allergic reaction, so antihistamines may improve the situation.
But offering a person medications to stop diarrhea and vomiting is strictly prohibited. In this case, toxic substances will not be able to leave the body naturally and will continue to cause severe harm to internal organs.
Treatment in a hospital setting will largely depend on the severity of the poisoning.In particular, doctors can carry out:
- plasmapheresis or hemosorption in the presence of acute liver failure;
- hemodialysis for renal dysfunction.
As a symptomatic treatment, drugs are prescribed that regulate the disturbed water-salt balance in the body, as well as effective antihistamines that help relieve an acute autoimmune reaction to toxins. If the process of destruction of red blood cells is started, the doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, which prevent the risk of severe complications, and drugs to support the functioning of the heart.
Conclusion
The harm of pigs has been scientifically proven, although poisoning from them usually does not occur immediately; the consequences of intoxication become very severe. Despite the beneficial properties of these mushrooms, eating pig mushrooms is highly discouraged.
