Nutritional Significance and Parasitic Contamination of Vegetables: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Vegetables are plants consumed whole or in parts. Furthermore, they have long been recognized as a significant source of sustenance. The current study reviews vegetables' nutritional attributes and health benefits. This paper also outlines the main parasites that cause vegetable contamination. Moreover, vegetable components, such as leaves, stems, roots, bulbs, seeds, and fruits, can be used to feed humans. In addition, they have relatively few calories to consume regularly. It also contains a lot of water and fiber. The World Health Organization advises consuming 400 grams of non-starchy veggies daily to enhance general health. Vegetables have an essential role in disease prevention and therapy. Their consumption lowers the risk of many cancers, regulates blood pressure and heart disease, avoids blocked arteries, fights obesity, improves cardiovascular health, improves skin health, and promotes digestive health. Nonetheless, vegetables are a major cause of foodborne diseases in both people and animals. It can, for example, constitute a route for the transmission of numerous parasites infections. For instance, they may be a route of transmission for various parasitic pathogens. Several investigations and study projects have documented the contamination of numerous kinds of vegetables with parasites that are liable for transmitting diseases, including Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium spp., Strongyloides spp., Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichuris trichiura, Toxocara spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and plenty of others. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain vegetable contamination with these parasites. Some of these include the use of contaminated water for irrigation, contamination from the soil, exposure to environmental factors like rain and wind, transmission by animals and insects acting as vectors for parasites, contamination during harvesting, processing, and storage, as well as during transportation of vegetables to markets. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to enhance hygiene practices, promote education and awareness, and foster a clean culture. Additionally, using clean water and proper tools is recommended. Washing vegetables thoroughly before consumption reduces parasite-related infections.