Natural-born killers: The fruits and veggies that could poison you

By Meera Senthilingam, CNN

Updated 0800 GMT (1600 HKT) April 10, 2017

Naturally occurring toxins in the lychee fruit have been linked to toxicity that leads to fever, convulsions and seizures.
Photos: This produce can be poison
Naturally occurring toxins in the lychee fruit have been linked to toxicity that leads to fever, convulsions and seizures.
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Ackee -- the national fruit of Jamaica -- contains the same poison as the lychee when unripe and can cause severe illness. It is usually cooked before eating.
Photos: This produce can be poison
Ackee -- the national fruit of Jamaica -- contains the same poison as the lychee when unripe and can cause severe illness. It is usually cooked before eating.
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Starfruit contain toxins that affect the brain and can cause neurological disorders, says the <a href="https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/why-you-should-avoid-eating-starfruit" target="_blank">National Kidney Foundation</a>, but these are processed and removed in people with healthy kidneys.
Photos: This produce can be poison
Starfruit contain toxins that affect the brain and can cause neurological disorders, says the National Kidney Foundation, but these are processed and removed in people with healthy kidneys.
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Cassava, also known as yucca, can be poisonous if not processed properly. The root naturally contains cyanide.
Photos: This produce can be poison
Cassava, also known as yucca, can be poisonous if not processed properly. The root naturally contains cyanide.
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The sugar cane crop itself is not harmful to eat, but eating moldy or dated sugar cane comes with a risk of poisoning courtesy of a common fungus.
Photos: This produce can be poison
The sugar cane crop itself is not harmful to eat, but eating moldy or dated sugar cane comes with a risk of poisoning courtesy of a common fungus.
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Two toxins in cycad plants such as the sago palm must be removed before any part of the plant can be safely eaten.
Photos: This produce can be poison
Two toxins in cycad plants such as the sago palm must be removed before any part of the plant can be safely eaten.
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Potatoes can be poisonous, particularly when they have sprouted or are green in color.
Photos: This produce can be poison
Potatoes can be poisonous, particularly when they have sprouted or are green in color.
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Many species of beans contain the toxin phytohemagglutinin, but concentrations are particularly high in raw red kidney beans.
Photos: This produce can be poison
Many species of beans contain the toxin phytohemagglutinin, but concentrations are particularly high in raw red kidney beans.
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01 fruits poison litchee ackee nerve disease 02 fruits poison litchee ackee nerve disease 03 fruits poison litchee ackee nerve disease 04 fruits poison litchee ackee nerve disease 05 fruits poison litchee ackee nerve disease 06 fruits poison litchee ackee nerve disease 12 dirty dozen 10 fruits poison litchee ackee nerve disease

Story highlights

  • Lychees are thought to have caused a mysterious disease epidemic in India
  • Some crops contain neurotoxins that are harmful if eaten unripe and in large enough quantities

(CNN)Underneath its spiky exterior, the fruit is smooth, juicy and beautifully sweet.

The spikes of the lychee fruit -- also known as litchi -- may be a deterrent for some animals, but for humans willing to break it away, it's an exotic and tasty treat. And often, just one is not enough.