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Raise your hand if it's happened to you: A couple days ago, you loaded your salad down with pine nuts, adding a nice crunch to your greens. Now, two days later, everything you eat tastes bitter, metallic, and just plain foul. And no matter how you try to cleanse your palate, things continue to taste bad for the next week. Even more confounding: family members who ate that same offending salad have no idea what you're talking about.
Pine nut mouth (yes, that's what it's being called -- who comes up with these names, anyway?) is a poorly documented phenomenon, but it's starting to gain more attention in foodie circles, and scientists are beginning to take note, too. There's not enough scientific data yet to draw any conclusions, but there are a few theories as to what causes this vexing condition. Gregory Moller, a professor of environmental chemistry and toxicology at the University of Idaho, pointed out to the Bay Area News Group that what we call pine nuts are actually not just a single species; 29 different pine trees produce edible nuts. "It could be," he explained, "that some of these species are mildly toxic to some people."
A study conducted by Belgian scientists and published in the European Journal of Emergency Medicine posits that the pine nuts in question could have oxidized, making them no longer fit for consumption. The study, along with several anecdotal accounts, also points out that many cases of pine nut mouth occur after eating pine nuts imported from China.
In any case, no need to be alarmed; we're not talking about a life-threatening situation here. It bears repeating that not all species of pine nuts appear to have this effect, and the ones that do only appear to affect certain people. Still, if you've experienced a week of mysteriously bad-tasting food, it's worth thinking back to remember if a pine nut might have been the culprit.
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3-08-2010 @7:42PM soozer said... Thought you already had this inquiry. DO NOT use pine nuts from China people!
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3-10-2010 @10:07AM Ella said... love to cook.. but couldn't get myself to get back into the kitchen and do it.. then a friend bought me a hilarious book.. I can't tell you the title of it cause it will definitley rub some of you the wrong way.. but if you have a good sense of humor and aren't easliy offended.. you will appreciate this.. google "whipped and Beaten culinary Works" but seriously. if you consider yourself to be conservative.. I would definitely skip it.
3-09-2010 @6:26PM Spine said... Interesting! I've never heard of (or experienced) pine nut mouth. Good thing, too, because I love pine nuts. Oxidation sounds like a likely culprit to me, though even the most rancid walnut or almond doesn't ruin the taste of other foods days later...
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3-10-2010 @9:39PM abcsnana said... Pine nuts do oxidise or otherwise known as get old - the oils spoil very quickly. Make sure you get them fresh and then keep them in the frig or freezer.
3-10-2010 @7:08AM Relieved said... Thought something was seriously wrong with my stomach, mouth, throat after eating pine nuts for the first time in many years. Everything I ate afterwards for a week had a strong metallic taste.... and since I live to eat great healthy meals, this was devastating! So, the pine nuts just went in the garbage and I can cancel that doctor's appointment!
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3-10-2010 @7:55AM Lisa said... Time and time again food products imported from China have been the source of a problem. Not only with food for human consumption but also pet consumption.
How about the toys with poisonous paint/
Here's the problem.....Have you ever gone out shopping and tried to purchased something from somewhere besides China? Virtually impossible. If it's not from China, its from Korea or Vietnam.
Very consumer products are made in the States; if it is, it is usually not affordable to the average family. US products are sold for a premium. Now that we are totally dependant on China for most consumer products has anyone stopped to think what happens if and when that relationship sours? If China stopped exporting their goods to us our shelves would be empty.
Its crazy.
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3-10-2010 @10:04AM qpak said... You're absolutely right. Not only our dependency on Chinese products (food or otherwise) but the sheer number of jobs we have 'exported' to them!
This mighty 'machine' is approaching closer & closer to being able to dominate the world. They've got nuclear weapons & are building-up their military with the dollars we spend on their products.
If any of you have an inkling of agreeing with me, we all need to be aware this has happened as a result of our "representatives" in DC giving away the farm (and factories).
Reviving a long-ago call to sanity, when you vote this November, think about the cry from long ago: "Throw the bums OUT!".
We need a very fresh start in DC and more, not fewer choices at the voting booths. Independents & other parties are sorely needed to break the stranglehold "we the people" have allowed to happen.
(When was the last time any of you were able to vote yourselves a raise? Or how is it they have the best of possible health care coverage while they debate (or stall?) on what to do about this problem?)
I'm sorry to have gotten off on a tangent or two, but it's all related folks...
3-10-2010 @10:31AM Mike said... To all those saying something to the effect of "God its nearly impossible to buy food that's not from some eastern country, and with all the problems china has been having its not shocking these we toxic." Here's a little lesson for you. 75% Of the WORLD'S food is produced by one country. The United Stats of America as it happens. That's right, out of all the world's food, we make 3/4s. If you can't find a food product made in the good ol' usa, open your freaking eyes, or do a little research. As for the toxic quality certain nuts seem to posses, the fact that these nuts were imported from china is meaningless as of now. As no one yet knows the cause of 'pine nut mouth', it could very well be a rare sort of allergy, or it could just as easily be a toxin produced by the nut itself. Many plants use toxins as defense mechanisms. Simply jumping to the conclusion that they are toxic to some people, is due to the fact that they were imported from china, is just plain ignorant.
As for you Lisa, the one I'm replying to, you've got me with the fact that there have been a few types of toys that have been imported from china that have been toxic, but the problem with the nuts could just as likely be, a natural process.
3-10-2010 @10:41AM tim said... welcom to united states of china
3-10-2010 @10:56AM hhhmmmmm said... Another reason to try to shop locally people!! We can keep large chain stores from closing down local mom and pop businesses. Shop local farmers markets. The food is better for you too
3-10-2010 @12:15PM harold said... Buy American-- unless your husband/wife work sin China or for Wal Mart?
Low Priced Chinese Goods ala Wal Mart is one of the reasons why we have fewer jobs available in the U.S. of A.
Why are they lower priced you may ask--they dont have safe work/worker rules, the dont have comparable food safety-inspection laws., they dont have featherbedding Union rules.
I could go on and on, but to state all the reasons would only bore you and all the other Wal Mart Shoppers.
3-10-2010 @8:56AM Kittyatsea said... I ate pine nuts (which I love) and for several days later, I did have a bitter taste in my mouth. I was thinking that my moisturizer was accidentally getting on my lips and in my mouth. I guess it's true. I never had this happen before . Didn't notice where the pine nuts came from.
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3-10-2010 @7:59AM health283 said... This article on pine nut is mild in comparison to what I recently read on fish oil. Last week GNC, Solgar, Twinlab, CVS pharmacy, Rite Aid were sued because of toxic chemicals in their fish oil. This article below gives even more information on fish oil that is actually scary. I will NEVER EVER take fish oil again.
If you think fish oil is really good for you, you must check this out….
http://www.squidoo.com/IsFishOilReallyGoodforYou
Warning: this tells you the truth that the people making tons of money selling fish and fish oil capsule don’t want you to know.
The Best, most common sense weight loss information I have read in a long time…
http://www.squidoo.com/Healthydietgoalsfor2010
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3-10-2010 @8:13AM mlhammon said... I wish we never borrowed money from communist China and in the deal , we now have to import inferior products from a communist country! I want American products !!! Let's start manufacturing appliances, textiles, steel, cars, etc. from America!!! We want our jobs back and to keep America strong!!!
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3-10-2010 @10:53AM Bubba said... The politicians in washington don't give a $h!t what YOU want. Do you think they work for You? Just take a look at the economy. Nuff said.
3-10-2010 @12:01PM Larry said... Maybe all those damn commie control freaks in our gov. and society will implode. The gov. and police have way too much power and authority. Whatever happened to "We the People"? How long are we going to let the Government bully us? It looks like "We the People" have wimped out and have become weak little childish cowards!!! Where are all the Real men that stand for True freedom? Freedom where a man can do (in the privacy of his own home) whatever he wants as long as he doesn't Hurt or harm in any way anyone else. If I am all by myself in my own home and I am not bothering or hurting anyone in the least little bit then I should be able to do whatever I want as long as I don't cause pain or harm to another human or animal (except eating animals humanely). In other words the government needs to stay the hell out of our business and houses and leave us the hell alone!!!!!! I guess I'm just livin' in fantasy land.
3-10-2010 @8:15AM Tony B said... Sounds like they stumbled upon a new diet aid. Feed over eaters the right pine nuts and food tastes horrible for a week. Maybe they will put down the Snickers bar if it tastes bad.
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3-10-2010 @1:49PM Missoppinnion said... HA HA My thoughts exactly....ever been on a pine tree nut diet? Might just work....
3-10-2010 @8:34AM gs said... all plants produce toxins to protect themselves - it would be reasoable to assume seeds to hav a protective agent - a lot of plants have edible fruit and seeds but there are still toxic elements in most - raw pine nuts might be safer than the toated ones as heat may cause chemical reaction or could be something in reaction between nuts and salad item - eat more wild meat - let an animal remove the toxins for you
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3-10-2010 @9:29AM Betty said... People with thyroid conditions are advised not to eat pine nuts.
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