DON'T Eat These Lectin-Rich Foods Raw!

Lectins: the dangerous anti-nutrient

Lectins are an important defense mechanism in plants against microorganisms and insects. They also allow seeds to remain intact when they pass through animal digestive systems. Because we cannot digest lectins, our body recognizes them as "non-self" and produce antibodies to eradicate them. As the result of activation of the immune system, skin rashes and joint pain may occur. Lectins may also damage the intestinal lining, resulting in poor absorption of vitamins and minerals. When enough lectins are present in the digestive tract, our body signals it to empty contents. This is when lectin poisoning occurs, and symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea within a few hours of consumption in large concentrations. So what are some foods high in lectins?