breeding have reduced their toxin contents to
the point that they’re not generally hazardous,
unusual preparations or serving sizes can
cause problems. The following plant toxins
are worth being aware of.
Alkaloids Alkaloids are bitter-tasting toxins
that appeared in plants about the time that
mammals evolved, and seem especially
effective at deterring our branch of the animal
family by both taste and aftereffects. Almost
all known alkaloids are poisonous at high
doses, and most alter animal metabolism at
lower doses: hence the attractions of caffeine
and nicotine. Among familiar foods, only the
potato accumulates potentially troublesome
alkaloid levels, which make greened potatoes
and potato sprouts bitter and toxic (p. 302).
Cyanogens Cyanogens are molecules that
warn and poison animals with bitter hydrogen
cyanide, a deadly poison of the enzymes that
animals use to generate energy. When the