What food was once thought to be poisonous?

There are actually a lot of foods that were once thought to be poisonous! Here are a few examples:

* Tomatoes: For centuries, these were thought to be deadly. People even referred to them as "poison apples." It was only in the 19th century that people realized they were edible and delicious.

* Potatoes: When the potato arrived in Europe, many believed it was toxic. This was likely because of the green parts of the plant, which contain solanine, a toxic compound.

* Mushrooms: With so many varieties, many mushrooms were considered poisonous, and rightly so. Many species are indeed dangerous. But with careful identification, edible mushrooms are a delicious treat.

* Peanuts: People once thought peanuts were poisonous because they grow underground, like some poisonous plants. This was thankfully disproven.

* Spinach: In the early 20th century, spinach was thought to have high levels of iron, making it super healthy. Later research revealed this was a miscalculation, though spinach is still a healthy vegetable.

* Coffee: When it was first introduced to Europe, coffee was considered dangerous and even illegal in some places. It was thought to cause addiction and even death.

This is just a small sampling of the many foods that were once thought to be poisonous. As we learn more about food and its effects on our bodies, our understanding of what is safe to eat changes.