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Some recent research shows exactly why E. coli contamination of vegetables is such a serious matter. The bacteria don't just contaminate the surface of the plants, as was initially thought — they actually infect the plant, just as they would infect the lining of the gut in humans or animals. This quote pretty much explains how it works:
Researchers from the James Hutton Institute in Scotland have identified that E. coli O157:H7 uses whip-link structures on its surface known as flagella – typically used for bacterial motility – to penetrate the plant cell walls. The team showed that purified flagella were able to directly interact with lipid molecules found in the membranes of plant cells. E. coli bacteria lacking flagella were unable to bind to the plant cells.
Once attached, the E. coli are able to grow on, and colonise, the surface of the plant. At this point, they can be removed by washing, although the researchers showed that a small number of bacteria are able to invade inside the plant, where they become protected from washing. The group have shown that E. coli O157:H7 is able to colonise the roots of both spinach and lettuce.
So simply washing contaminated vegetables seems to be effective in most cases, but it may not be enough in certain sitautions.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I would think that thorough cooking should eliminate the risk, just as it does with meat, for example.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Wow that's a scary thought . My husband and son eat salad every night for supper and both eat raw veg in their lunches. I wash them well but there is no way of knowing whether that helps or not. Yikes!!!
Makes me happy to eat cooked veg that I have hated my whole life! Change is good!!!
Diabetic DX June 2012
Diverticulosis/ MC DX Feb.2014
I am thankful for my struggle because without it I wouldn't have stumbled across my strength.
What are you willing to let go of so you can live the life you know you deserve?
I'm guessing that thick skinned veggies would be safer.....Gabes cuts off, not only the skin, but down into the veggie itself due to pesticides.
Isn't it a shame, what has happened to our food supply? Everyone should have a garden!
:)
Linda :)
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
This quote pretty much explains how it works:
