Are Parasites Edible?

But despite their cruel way of life, they're tasty. George Washington, Inouye informed me, was the most famous fan of pea crabs, delighting to eat them in oyster stew. In Mexico, another parasite is a popular delicacy. Called huitlacoche, this parasitic fungus infects corn.

Can you eat parasitic worms?

When people eat live herring worms, the parasite can invade the intestinal wall and cause symptoms that mimic those of food poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In most cases, the worm dies after a few days and the symptoms disappear.

What happens if you eat a parasite?

When humans eat raw or undercooked infected fish or squid, they ingest nematode larvae. Once inside the human body, the larvae can invade the gastrointestinal tract. Eventually, the parasite dies and produces an inflamed mass in the esophagus, stomach, or intestine.