Where are lectins found?
Yes, in almost all plants! They are very toxic, but they can also be useful. Those who are fond of a raw food diet know what we are talking about - if you have tried eating raw beans, you probably know that they contain the toxic lectin phytohemagglutinin, which is highly poisonous even in small quantities.
Lectins are the defense mechanism of plants, so many of them are still considered beneficial phytonutrients that can adequately stimulate our immune system. These include banana, astragalus, bitter melon, carob, and garlic lectins.
But some of them can have a pronounced negative impact on health. Thus, wheat germ lectin agglutenin can provoke leaky gut syndrome, diabetes, obesity and various autoimmune diseases. It sticks together and destroys the cells of the mucous membranes, suppressing immune cells and fueling inflammation.
Foods rich in unwanted lectins include:
✔️All grains (including corn and quinoa)
✔️ all legumes (peanuts and cashews as well);
✔️ nightshade (tomato, potato, eggplant, pepper, goji berries);
✔️ meat and dairy non-organic products (those that were grown on grain);
✔️ sunflower oil;
✔️ pumpkin.