Warning over TikTok avocado storage ‘hack’ that could give you diarrhoea
Warning over TikTok avocado storage ‘hack’ that could give you diarrhoea
- TikTok hack sees people make avocados last week submerged in water
- But, experts warn storage hack could give you fever, muscle aches, diarrhoea
<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
(function (src, d, tag){
var s = d.createElement(tag), prev = d.getElementsByTagName(tag)[0];
s.src = src;
prev.parentNode.insertBefore(s, prev);
}(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/1.17.0/async_bundle–.js”, document, “script”));
<!–
DM.loadCSS(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/gunther-2159/video_bundle–.css”);
<!–
With the cost of living crisis tightening our purse strings, many of us are trying to make food last longer to save money.
But one specific ‘hack’ to keep avocados fresher for longer could cause diarrhoea, experts have warned.
The TikTok trend — described as ‘genius’ in some corners — encourages people to submerge their avocados in water.
Advocates claim this slows down the oxidisation process, effectively stopping the millennial’s favourite fruit from ripening too soon.
Hack suggests people store avocado in water to keep it fresh for longer, as pictured right. But, experts say this can cause dangerous bacteria to grow. Storing avocados in the fridge with cling film or simply keeping the pit inside can also help keep it fresh
But, as well as delaying them from browning, the storage method actually creates the perfect location for dangerous bacteria to thrive.
Pathogens such as listeria and salmonella can be found on the surface of the fruit, according to Pink Storage Cardiff.
Both, which can make sufferers severely ill, can cause diarrhoea.
Scott Evans, of PSC, said: ‘When we became aware of this trend we saw that people were using this trick and that it was working for them.
‘Submerging the avocado in water slows down the oxidisation process which causes your avocado to overripen.
‘While it’s clear the hack does keep your avocados fresher for longer, you shouldn’t be using this social media hack as it is dangerous.’
The raunchy viral TikTok hacks that actually work between the sheets, according to sexperts – including the ‘coconut challenge’ and the four-minute foreplay rule
The raunchy viral TikTok hacks that actually work between the sheets, according to sexperts – including the ‘coconut challenge’ and the four-minute foreplay rule
Different sex hacks have been going viral on TikTok. Now sexperts have revealed the ones that actually work (stock image)
He added: ‘When you submerge your avocados in the water you are creating an environment that allows human pathogens such as listeria and salmonella to thrive.’
Registered dietitian Dr Duane Mellor, at Birmingham’s Aston University, also does not encourage people to follow this trend.
He said: ‘By storing them in water, it’s only likely to increase the risk of these bacteria which may be harmlessly existing on the fruit’s skin.’
Listeriosis is a serious condition that is caused by eating foods which contain listeria bacteria.
It poses the biggest threat to babies, pregnant women, over-65s, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
The bacteria is usually a problem with chilled and ready to eat foods, according to the NHS.
Nutritionist Toby King warned washing the skin before putting it in water will also not prevent the bacteria from spreading.
He said: ‘Some social media users believe that they can disinfect the skins from these harmful pathogens.
‘But listeria can infiltrate the pulp of the avocado when in storage.
‘Disinfecting the skin in this instance wouldn’t help.’
If you want to keep your avocados lasting longer you are better off wrapping it in cling film, keeping the pit inside the fruit or storing it with chopped-up onions, experts say.
Comments 316
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.