Aflatoxin exposure refers to coming into contact with a harmful substance called aflatoxin. Aflatoxins are toxins produced by certain molds that can contaminate food crops, such as peanuts, maize, and other grains. When people consume food contaminated with aflatoxins, it can be harmful to their health, potentially causing various issues including liver damage and an increased risk of certain cancers.
Full definition
Denise sleuthed out a few forgotten papers wherein researchers studied how dietary protein interacted with
aflatoxin exposure in rhesus monkeys.
But in underdeveloped countries, especially in some parts of Africa,
aflatoxin exposure rates go up to more than 90 percent.
«Every time we
measure aflatoxin exposure in humans, in children and adults [in Africa], there's always very high positive rates,» says Yun Yun Gong, a food toxicologist at Queen's University Belfast.
In countries with
high aflatoxin exposure, like China and parts of Africa, fewer than 1 in 1000 people develop liver cancer.
For instance,
aflatoxin exposure leads to cancer (or pre-cancerous neoplasms) much more frequently in rats on low - protein diets than in rats on high - protein diets:
Children, however, are particularly affected by
aflatoxin exposure, which can lead to stunted growth and delayed development.