If you're concerned with fallout from the Fukushima nuclear reactors This list of the top 10 common radioactive foods may interest you:
#10 – Peanut Butter
Peanut butter has some of the lowest concentrations of radiation at a mere 0.12 pCi/g comes from a combination of 40K, 226Ra, and 228Ra. It would more likely kill you from the 3.3 grams of saturated fat and 12.3 grams of unsaturated fat per two tablespoons.
#9 – Drinking Water
has 0.17 pCi/g from primarily from Radium 226
#8 – Beer
Green Beer, not just for St Patricks day anymore! Stay strong, though, as beer only contains a trifling amount — only 390 pCi/kg of 40K
#7 Red Meat
Again, potassium is the culprit here. That steak will get you about 3,000 pCi/kg. Brings a new meaning to the saying "don't eat green meat".
#6 Low Sodium Salt
Because it's made with potassium chloride instead of straight sodium, low-sodium salt also contains roughly 3,000 pCi/kg
#5 White Potatoes
White potatoes also contain a significant concentration of naturally occurring radioactive materials. The radioactive concentration in white potatoes is 1 to 2.5 pCi/kg of radon-226 and 3,400 pCi/kg of potassium-40. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, potatoes are very rich source of many essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, folic acid, flavonoids and kukoamines. Kukoamines are a chemical found in white potatoes that have blood pressure lowering effects in the human body.
#4 Carrots
Carrots and potatoes together will net you 6,800 pCi/kg, as carrots carry an equivalent amount of radioactive potassium to potatoes.
#3 Bananas
Bananas are another food source of naturally occurring radioactive material. The radioactive concentration in bananas is 1 pCi/kg of radon-226 and 3,520 pCi/kg of potassium-40. The consumption of bananas also provide beneficial medical properties. According to BBCNews, the consumption of potassium rich foods such as bananas is effective in the regulation of blood pressure. Bananas contain chemicals that inhibit the angiotensin converting enzyme, which acts to constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure. Bananas are also used to compare radioactive exposure levels and is referred to as BED or banana equivalent dose. Bananas are radioactive enough to regularly cause false alarms on radiation sensors used to detect possible illegal smuggling of nuclear material at US ports.
#2 Lima Beans
Another Reason to hate Lima Beans; Radon-226 and potassium-40 are present in significant concentrations in lima beans. The radioactive concentration in lima beans is 2 to 5 pCi/kg of radon-226 and 4,640 pCi/kg of potassium-40. The consumption of lima beans can lead to many medicinal benefits. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, lima beans are also a very rich source of iron which can can benefit individuals on an iron-rich diet for treatment of iron deficiency anemia.
And the Most Naturally Radioactive Food is:
#1 Brazil Nuts
At more than 6,600 pCi/kg, Brazil nuts are the most radioactive food the average person consumes due to their high levels of radium present in the tree's root system, as well as high levels of potassium. Not to fear, though: The human body retains almost none of the radiation consumed while eating Brazil nuts. Paradoxically, these radioactive nuts are thought to help prevent breast and prostate cancer thanks to their high levels of selenium.
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