What are the safety concerns regarding apricots?

Sulfur-containing compounds, such as sulfur dioxide, are often added to dried fruits as preservatives to help prevent oxidation and bleaching of colors. These sulfur compounds cause adverse reactions in approximately one of every 100 people and about one of 20 people who suffer from asthma. Apricots contain moderate amounts of oxalates.

Individuals with a history of calcium oxalate -- containing kidney stones should limit their consumption of this food.

Avocados contain enzymes called chitinases that can cause allergic reactions in people with sensitivity to latex. Therefore, individuals with latex sensitivity should avoid touching or eating avocados. The treatment of avocados with ethylene gas to induce ripening can increase the presence of these allergenic enzymes, therefore we recommend selecting organic avocadoes not treated with ethylene gas, as they have fewer allergy-causing compounds.

Like avocados, bananas contain enzymes called chitinases that can cause allergic reactions in people with sensitivity to latex. Therefore, individuals with a latex sensitivity should avoid touching or eating avocados. The treatment of bananas with ethylene gas to induce ripening can increase the presence of these allergenic enzymes, therefore we recommend selecting organic bananas not treated with ethylene gas, as they have fewer allergy-causing compounds.

Be sure to purchase unsulfured dried banana products.

Since honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum -- the causative agent of botulism, an infection in infants -- children less than 12 months old should not be fed honey. Due to their more mature digestive tract, persons one year of age and older can safely consume honey. Allergic reaction is the most common side effect of bee products.

If you know you are allergic to honey, bee pollen, or conifer and poplar trees, do not use bee products. Allergic reactions can range from very mild, such as mild gastrointestinal upset, to more severe reactions, including asthma, anaphylaxis (shock), intestinal bleeding, and even death in people who are extremely allergic to bee products. Honey contains small amounts of oxalates.

Individuals with a history of kidney stones containing calcium oxalate should limit their consumption of this food.

These mushrooms have an excellent record of safety but have known to induce temporary diarrhea and abdominal bloating when used in high dosages (above 15 to 20 grams per day). Allergic reactions, mainly skin rashes, have also been reported. Mushrooms are a significant source of purines.

Since purines can be broken down to form uric acid, excess accumulation of purines in the body can lead to excess accumulation of uric acid. Gout and the formation of kidney stones from uric acid are two examples of uric acid-related problems that can be caused by excessive intake of purine-containing foods. For this reason, individuals with kidney problems or gout should avoid or limit their intake of mushrooms.

Mushrooms, particularly button mushrooms, may be treated with various chemicals while grown to prevent contamination with bacteria or other fungi. Choose organically grown varieties when possible. Mushrooms contain moderate amounts of oxalates.

Individuals with a history of calcium oxalate-containing kidney stones should limit their consumption of this food.

Some green teas contain caffeine. Drinking green tea or taking caffeine-containing green tea extracts may be overstimulating, leading to such symptoms as nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. Fortunately, decaffeinated green teas and decaffeinated green tea extracts are now widely available.

Green tea can interfere with the blood thinner warfare (Coumadin). This drug blocks blood clotting in part by interfering with the actions of vitamin K. Since green tea is a significant source of vitamin K, it may reduce the effectiveness of warfare.

However, warfare can effectively be used even if you drink green tea, as long as the quantities you drink remain constant from day to day. The standard blood tests done when you are taking warfare will show any effects from the extra vitamin K contained in green tea, and your doctor can simply adjust the warfare dose to compensate. Virtually all forms of tea contain high levels of oxalate.

Individuals with a history of kidney stones containing calcium oxalate should limit their consumption of this food.

Corn is one of the most common food allergens. One of the big concerns surrounding food safety right now is the widespread use of genetically modified corn. The insecticidal protein that the genetically modified corn was engineered to produce exhibits characteristics of known allergens.

Possible health effects of this category of allergen include severe allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock. In addition, the pollen from genetically modified corn has been shown to contaminate naturally occurring corn. More specifically, if a farmer with a one-hectare plot plants a single row with genetically modified seed, it will overtake the natural corn in only seven years.

Due to the possible negative health effects of genetically modified corn, we recommend using organic corn, cornmeal, and corn flour. Corn contains moderate to high amounts of oxalate. Individuals with a history of calcium oxalate-containing kidney stones should limit their consumption of this food.

Soybeans are well known as a common allergen. Those with thyroid problems should limit their consumption of raw or sprouted soybeans. Raw or sprouted soybeans contain goitrogens, which can interfere with thyroid gland activity.

Dietary goitrogens are usually of no clinical importance unless they are consumed in large amounts, or there is coexisting iodine deficiency. Cooking helps to inactivate the goitrogenic compounds. Cooked soybeans do not pose the same issues.

Soy also contains amounts of oxalate. Individuals with a history of oxalate-containing kidney stones should avoid over-consuming soy. Women who have or have had estrogen sensitive breast tumors should restrict their soy intake to no more than four servings per week and avoid soy isoflavone supplements.

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Chocolate can produce a stimulant effect and lead to feelings of nervousness and anxiety in some people. It is also a common food allergen. Chocolate, along with red wines and aged cheeses, has been linked with nervous tension as well as migraine headaches.

All of these foods contain compounds known as vasoactive amines, which can dilate brain vessels, triggering headaches in susceptible individuals. Since chocolate contains oxalic acid, a compound that can bind to calcium in the urinary tract to form kidney stones, dark chocolate should be avoided by individuals prone to kidney stones. According to a study conducted in Brazil, while consumption of dark chocolate caused a 20 percent increase in urinary oxalate excretion, no such increase was observed in the group receiving milk chocolate, suggesting that as long as enough calcium is also present, it will bind to oxalates in the gut, preventing the formation of kidney stones.

Chocolate is a food high in arginine, an amino acid required by the herpes virus to replicate. Chocolate and other arginine-rich foods should be avoided by those with active and frequently recurring herpes infections. Chocolate does not contain goitrogens or purines.

Some people are allergic to citrus peels. When such an allergy is suspected, caution must be employed when eating citrus fruit. But, whether you are allergic or not, citrus peels should not be eaten in any significant quantity.

Citrus peels contain some beneficial oils, but these oils can interfere with some body functions. For example, citrus peels contain a compound known as citral that antagonizes some of the effects of vitamin A. In addition, grapefruit contains high levels of a flavonoid called naringin that can pose a problem for people taking certain drugs.

Naringin reduces the activity of the CYP3A enzymes within the liver. These enzymes are used by your body to break down certain drugs, such as calcium channel blockers (used in the treatment of high blood pressure), cholesterol lowering statin drugs, sedatives (for example, midazolam), and cyclosporine (an immune suppressant given to people who have received organ transplants). If the drugs are not metabolized, they remain in the body in higher concentrations, thus increasing the risk of unwanted toxic effects.

If you are taking a prescription medication, ask your doctor if you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. Some drugs, such as Neoral (oral cyclosporine), already carry a warning. Fortunately for citrus lovers, oranges and tangerines do not contain significant amounts of naringin but have many other important nutrients and flavonoids.