Revised Article: Tapioca, also known as ubi kayu, has gained a reputation as a lifesaver during World War 2 and the Emergency, as it helped alleviate famine. However, despite its positive image, some argue that tapioca has a dark side.
Is it true that tapioca is poisonous? Yes, raw tapioca is actually a poisonous plant. The level of toxicity varies depending on the type, ranging from moderately poisonous to extremely dangerous. It's not just the tuber that poses a risk, but the entire plant including the leaves and stems.
There are two main types of tapioca: sweet and bitter. The bitter variety is approximately eight times more toxic than the sweet one. Tapioca contains cyanogenic glycosides, which are not inherently toxic by themselves. However, when they come into contact with enzymes in saliva, they release hydrogen cyanide—a highly toxic chemical. In fact, hydrogen cyanide was used as a chemical weapon by the French during World War 1.
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning from improperly prepared tapioca include decreased blood pressure, rapid pulse and respiration, headache, dizziness, pain, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, and even convulsions. It takes only a small amount of tapioca to trigger these symptoms, as a lethal dose ranges from 0.5mg to 3.5mg per kilogram of body weight. Children are more vulnerable to poisoning due to their smaller size. To put it into perspective, sweet cassava contains about 50mg of cyanogenic glycosides per kilogram of tuber, while the bitter type has 400mg. Fortunately, there is a silver lining amidst this gastronomic threat.
Sweet tapioca, which is commonly consumed, can be processed relatively easily. Thorough cooking breaks down the cyanogenic glycosides and renders tapioca safe to eat. On the other hand, preparing bitter cassava requires a more extensive process. The tuber must be soaked in water for long periods to remove as many toxins as possible before it can be cooked thoroughly. Although not prevalent in this region, incidents of mass poisonings related to tapioca have occurred in other countries.
An alarming case took place in the Philippines in 2005, where 27 schoolchildren died and 100 more were hospitalized due to tapioca poisoning. In conclusion, tapioca is a wonderful and nutritious food that is easy to cultivate and satisfying to eat. However, it is crucial to avoid consuming raw tapioca or dishes made with ubi kayu to ensure your well-being.
Source: The Star
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