Pigs: benefits and harms, is it possible to get poisoned

The harm of pigs is a question that still causes controversy between scientists and experienced mushroom pickers. Although many people tend to consider these mushrooms to be edible, science says that they should not be eaten, and categorizes pigs as poisonous.

The benefits and harms of pig mushrooms

Thin and thick pigs, common in Our Country, 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 eaten, pigs really pose a great danger. But this does not mean that fungi do not benefit at all, they still have some valuable qualities:

1. 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. There are few fats in percentage terms, only 28%. There are even fewer carbohydrates – only 16,9%. At the same time, carbohydrates are absorbed almost instantly, it is impossible to recover from the use of fungi, they do not affect weight indicators in any way.
2. Mushroom pulp contains lecithin, a substance that prevents the accumulation of bad cholesterol in the body. Pigs can have a positive effect on well-being with a tendency to cardiovascular diseases, as they strengthen blood vessels and have a beneficial effect on myocardial function.
3. Mushrooms contain fiber, which is good for digestion. Pigs in the diet are able to normalize the stool and contribute to the removal of toxins from the body.
4. Mushroom pulp is rich in antioxidants that are important for human immunity. When using mushrooms, a person is less likely to catch colds and more easily tolerate viruses and infections.
5. Mushrooms contain about 59% of natural vegetable protein, so they supply the body with building material for muscles and generally have a strengthening effect.

Unfortunately, even with useful properties, mushrooms bring mainly harm to human health:

1. Mushrooms succumb to decay very quickly and begin to deteriorate within a few hours after harvesting, you can get poisoned by pigs simply due to the loss of freshness by the mushrooms.
2. Pigs accumulate toxic substances incredibly quickly and powerfully, if the fungus 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.
3. In the pulp of pigs there is 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 the use of the mushroom leads to severe instant poisoning.
4. The composition of pigs also contains other dangerous substances that negatively affect the composition of the blood – after soaking and digestion, they also do not disappear. With prolonged use 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 fat and thin pigs have been classified as poisonous and dangerous mushrooms. In the middle of the twentieth century, it was allowed to eat them, but further research forced scientists to change their minds about pigs.

Why are pigs dangerous?

Toxic pigs 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 manifests itself only after repeated use of mushrooms in food.

Poisonous 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 starts, which leads to disorders in the activity of the heart, liver and kidneys. It is impossible to clearly answer the question of how long intoxication will 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 poisoning with pigs 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. With increased sensitivity to this type of mushroom, a negative reaction may occur after 1-3 hours, in which case it is strictly forbidden to use pigs again.

Mild intoxication with pigs looks like classic fungal poisoning. Harm is expressed in the following symptoms:

• pain in the abdomen of moderate or high intensity;
• nausea, vomiting and diarrhea;
• dehydration of the body;
• loss of strength and cold extremities;
• pain in the lumbar region;
• mild renal or hepatic insufficiency, not higher than 1 degree.

Clinical tests show an increase in the level of bilirubin and enzymes in the blood. With moderate poisoning, liver and kidney failure of the 2nd degree 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 show the destruction of red blood cells, a sharp increase in creatinine and bilirubin. Acute liver and kidney failure lead to a sharp deterioration in the condition and even to organic brain damage.

Seeing a doctor in case of pig poisoning is strictly necessary, a specialist will be able to assess the condition of the body and the degree of harm done. 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 stationary conditions. Given the increased harm of fungi 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 arrival of doctors, the condition of the victim can be alleviated with a few simple measures:

1. In case of poisoning, a person must be given more clean drinking water, and then induce vomiting in him. Gastric lavage will help remove some of the toxic substances from the body, while they have not yet had time to be absorbed into the tissues.
2. 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.
3. To alleviate the symptoms, the victim can be offered an antiallergic agent, for example, Suprastin or Tavegil. Swine intoxication is an atypical allergic reaction, so antihistamines may improve the situation.

But offering a person medicines that 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 the 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 impaired renal function.

As a symptomatic treatment, drugs are prescribed that regulate the disturbed water-salt balance in the body, as well as effective antihistamines, which allow to remove 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 developing serious complications, and drugs to support the work 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 pigs is highly discouraged.