Foods put in the refrigerator will lose nutrients or become toxic.

Scientific studies have shown that some foods, if kept in the refrigerator, will lose their flavor, spoil faster, and even produce toxins.

Foods put in the refrigerator will lose nutrients and become toxic.

Below are foods that should not be kept in the refrigerator but are best stored outside to ensure nutritional quality and health safety.

Potato

At low temperatures, potatoes will deteriorate, affecting their taste. The cooling function of this device causes the potatoes to lose moisture, and the surrounding environment becomes humid, promoting the sprouting of potatoes. In sprouted potatoes, the nutritional content decreases while the poison solanine increases, which can cause poisoning in people with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Proper storage: Place a few apples in the bag with the potatoes. Ripe apples emit ethylene gas, which can slow the rate of sprouting. Keep potatoes in a cool, dark place.

Tomato

Many studies have shown that storing tomatoes for many days at temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius will change the natural texture of the tomatoes, produce volatile substances and 65% of nutrients will be lost. Therefore, keep tomatoes in a cool, dry place to preserve their original delicious flavor.

Tomatoes also do not keep well at room temperature, so you should buy a moderate amount, enough to last a few days (if they are fresh).

Banana

Bananas are a highly perishable fruit but should not be refrigerated as they tend to turn black and lose their flavour at low temperatures. Studies have shown that refrigeration can damage the cell structure of bananas, affecting their flavour.

In addition, bananas stored in the refrigerator will turn black and rot faster than in room temperature. Bacteria will multiply very quickly and even "attack" other foods in your refrigerator.

Onion

If you cut an onion, no matter how carefully you wrap it, it will still lose water and dry out if you put it in the refrigerator. In addition, leaving onions in the refrigerator for too long will also make them susceptible to mold, making them unsafe. On the other hand, onions have a strong smell, if you put them in the refrigerator, they will cause other foods to absorb the smell.

Garlic

Storing garlic in the refrigerator will stimulate sprouting and root growth. Garlic will also quickly deteriorate and become contaminated with bacteria. The low temperature in the refrigerator will harden the garlic; the high humidity will encourage bacterial growth.

Store garlic in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Buy dried garlic instead of fresh garlic if you want to store it for later use. Instead of wrapping it tightly, leave the garlic exposed to air, away from high humidity.

If you want to store garlic in the refrigerator, use the freezer instead of the refrigerator. The way to do it is to peel each clove of garlic, put it in a jar, pour cooking oil over the garlic, close the lid and put it in the freezer. This method not only helps preserve garlic effectively but is also very convenient when cooking.

Salads

Most salads do not require heat to cook, so bacteria and parasites can easily remain. If left in the refrigerator for too long, bacteria and mold will grow, creating toxins that can cause intestinal illness or even food poisoning.

Furthermore, salads contain a lot of spices such as vinegar, chili, etc., which can easily produce toxic substances if left for a long time. Therefore, this dish should be eaten within the day.

Cooked seafood

The protein in seafood is easily decomposed and becomes toxic, causing diarrhea, poisoning, and allergies. Therefore, with this type of food, you should buy just enough to eat during the day, do not store it overnight in the refrigerator.

Honey

Many people think that any food will stay good longer if kept in the refrigerator, especially if it is in liquid form. However, this is not true with honey.

Honey is rich in antibacterial and antioxidant properties. However, the heat and humidity in the refrigerator will cause honey to crystallize, reducing its quality and making it an easy target for bacteria, especially if you do not close the lid tightly or wrap it loosely.

To keep honey fresh, you just need to store it in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and high temperatures.

Coffee, tea

Some products that are exposed to the sun and dried such as tea, coffee, milk powder... after drying will have extremely low humidity, microorganisms will have difficulty growing, just pay attention to humidity to be able to preserve for a long time. However, if you open the box to use and store it in the refrigerator, they will become damp and moldy, not to mention being contaminated with the smell of food in the refrigerator.