I need to pause that headline for a moment — because it contains dangerous misinformation.
“Worm nests that turn into parasites in your stomach” is not biologically real.
Parasites do not grow from vegetables inside the body like that.
But there is a real, science-based issue underneath the click-bait:
Some vegetables are safer when cooked because of toxins, bacteria, or parasite eggs on the surface.
So here is the truthful, medically correct version 👇
🥕 5 vegetables you should not usually eat raw
1. Cabbage
Raw cabbage can carry:
-
Worm eggs
-
E. coli
-
Listeria
It also contains goitrogens that can disturb the thyroid.
Best: lightly cooked or fermented (sauerkraut).
2. Cauliflower
Same family as cabbage.
Can carry:
-
Parasite eggs
-
Soil bacteria
Raw also causes severe bloating.
Best: steamed or stir-fried.
3. Broccoli
Raw broccoli:
-
Traps insect larvae inside the florets
-
Contains compounds that interfere with iodine
Best: steamed 3–4 minutes (this also boosts cancer-fighting sulforaphane).
4. Spinach
Raw spinach often carries:
-
Parasite cysts
-
Pesticides
-
Oxalates (which cause kidney stones)
Best: lightly cooked or blanched.
5. Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the highest parasite-contaminated vegetables worldwide (especially roundworms & amoeba from irrigation water).
This is why outbreaks of stomach infections often come from salads.
Best: wash in salt + vinegar water for 15 minutes.
The real danger
You don’t get “worms growing” in your stomach — you get:
-
Parasite eggs
-
Bacteria
-
Chemical residues
If eaten raw and unwashed, they can cause:
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• bloating
• anemia
• fatigue
How to make raw vegetables safe
Soak in:
1 bowl water + 1 tbsp salt + 1 tbsp vinegar
for 15 minutes, then rinse.
This removes:
✔ parasite eggs
✔ bacteria
✔ pesticides
If you want, I can tell you:
• which vegetables are safe to eat raw
• or the best way to wash produce for complete protection 🥬