117: What Toxins Are In Plants?

In this episode, Dr. Steve takes a deep dive into a topic that doesn’t get enough attention—plant toxins. While fruits and vegetables are a staple in most diets, they all contain some form of toxins. Some are harmless, while others can build up in your body over time and cause problems. And then, some can actually be beneficial if prepared correctly. He breaks down the different toxins found in plants, how they affect our health, and the best ways to enjoy plant-based foods without the risks. 

[00:01 - 03:19] The Truth About Plant Toxins

Every plant contains natural toxins, some of which can accumulate in the body.

Bioaccumulation can lead to long-term health issues, much like insulin resistance.

Common plant toxins include phytates, tannins, lectins, and cyanogenic glycosides.

Some plant toxins are used in medicine, while others can be harmful over time.

[03:20 - 09:07] Oxalates and Hidden Health Risks

Oxalate crystals in foods like spinach and almonds can cause kidney stones and joint pain.

Dr. Steve shares how oxalates led to a serious health scare for his son.

Many plant toxins act as natural pesticides to protect the plant from being eaten.

Eating plants out of season increases the risk of toxin buildup in the body.

[09:08 -  16:43] How Modern Farming Alters Plants

Domesticated crops are bred to be sweeter and larger but often lose nutrients.

Removing natural plant defenses has led to increased use of pesticides and herbicides.

Modern corn is now 40% sugar, compared to 2% in its ancestral form.

Heirloom varieties contain more nutrients and fewer harmful compounds.

[16:43 - 26:51] How to Reduce Plant Toxins

Cooking, soaking, fermenting, and nixtamalization can deactivate harmful compounds.

Some cultures use clay to neutralize plant toxins before digestion.

Buying seasonal and local produce reduces exposure to harmful bioaccumulation.

Avoid grocery store produce grown out of season for better health benefits.

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Tweetable Quotes:

“ Every single plant on the earth has toxins in it.” - Dr. Steve Hughlett

“Our digestive tract is not physically made to digest plants.” - Dr. Steve Hughlett

“Phytotoxins they're not actually trying to kill you, they're just trying to protect themselves. So this is nature's natural pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, these are the things that plants have, to make sure that they don't get eaten by these other things.” - Dr. Steve Hughlett

“ It's how do I eat them that can make them safe, nutritious, and available to our bodies without hurting us. And one of the best ways you can do this to make sure you're buying something seasonally is don't buy it from a grocery store. Buy it from a farmer's market.” - Dr. Steve Hughlett

 ”Most kidney stones are made out of calcium oxalate crystals. So the calcium is what we have in our bodies anyway. And then, the oxalate is what we get from eating all these plants.” - Dr. Steve Hughlett

“Eat your fruits, eat your vegetables, minimal, make sure you eat them seasonally.” - Dr. Steve Hughlett