Cassava (also known as yuca, not to be confused with yucca the ornamental plant) is a hardy, drought-resistant tuber that looks like a thick, brown-skinned sweet potato.
It’s a dietary cornerstone for over 800 million people worldwide, especially in regions where other crops fail due to poor soil or climate.
You may know it as:
The base of tapioca pearls in bubble tea
Garri or fufu in West African cuisine
Farofa in Brazilian cooking
A gluten-free flour alternative
But beneath its unassuming surface lies a hidden danger.
⚠️ Why Is Cassava Called the “World’s Deadliest Food”?
Because raw or improperly processed cassava contains cyanogenic glucosides—natural compounds that turn into hydrogen cyanide when eaten.
Yes.
👉 Cyanide. The same poison used in chemical warfare.
And here’s what happens when it’s not removed:
Acute poisoning
Nausea, dizziness, seizures, respiratory failure, death within hours
Chronic exposure
Goiter, nerve damage, paralysis
Konzo
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