Can Shrimp And Orange Juice Really Kill You? Let’s Find Out

You may have seen warnings passed around on social media or heard from a well-meaning friend that eating shrimp and drinking orange juice together can be deadly. But is there any truth to this alarming claim? As a food blogger interested in digging into food myths I decided to investigate.

The Origin Of The Shrimp And Orange Juice Myth

So where did this dubious food pairing myth come from in the first place? From my research, it seems to have originated with a viral email hoax that started circulating sometime around 2008 The email claimed that mixing shrimp and vitamin C supplements led to the death of a woman due to a toxic chemical reaction Of course, the email provided no evidence or concrete details about this alleged incident.

Over the years, the shrimp and vitamin C myth continued to morph and spread, soon becoming a warning about never consuming shrimp and orange juice together. Since orange juice contains high levels of vitamin C, it replaced vitamin supplements in the apocryphal story.

Is There Any Science Behind This Myth?

At first glance, the reasoning behind the shrimp and OJ myth almost seems plausible. Shrimp contains trace amounts of arsenic, a known toxic substance. Vitamin C is an acid. So maybe combining the two leads to some sort of chemical reaction that releases arsenic, leading to poisoning? After looking at the science, however, this turns out to be highly unlikely.

Here are the reasons why:

• The arsenic in shrimp is in an organic, non-toxic form called arsenobetaine. This is very poor at dissociating – meaning it won’t break off from nutrients it’s bonded to.

• Vitamin C is not an oxidizing acid, meaning it’s unlikely to cause other compounds present in food to break down.

• No peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that vitamin C induces release of arsenic from shrimp or any other food source.

Looking At The Facts Around Arsenic

While the shrimp and OJ myth can be debunked, it is true that arsenic is a dangerous substance linked to cancer and other long-term health issues at high enough doses. Here are a few facts to understand about arsenic in the food supply:

• Seafood contains the most arsenic of any food group. In addition to shrimp, bivalves like oysters and mussels also contain arsenic.

• Rice is another food relatively high in arsenic, as modern farming practices tend to draw arsenic up from contaminated soils into the grains. Brown rice tends to be higher than white.

• The FDA has set a limit of 10 parts per billion inorganic arsenic for apple and grape juice, another product of concern.

• Toxicity depends on the form of arsenic. Inorganic forms like arsenite and arsenate are more harmful than the organic forms prevalent in seafood.

So arsenic exposure from foods is something health agencies monitor, but there’s no reason to believe specific food combinations make it instantly dangerous. Eating a varied diet is the best way to limit exposure.

What Does The Evidence Say About Shrimp And Orange Juice?

To definitively answer whether shrimp and orange juice can be a deadly combo, I looked at documented case reports and speaking to food safety experts. No evidence could be found of anyone ever being harmed or killed by consuming shrimp and vitamin C or orange juice together.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also clearly stated that this combination is not dangerous. According to FDA spokesperson Lindsay Haake: “There is no known interaction between orange juice and shrimp that could lead to arsenic poisoning.”

So while arsenic in large quantities can absolutely be hazardous to health, there’s no reason to think that moderate shrimp consumption combined with orange juice poses a risk based on current evidence.

Is It A Good Idea For People With Shellfish Allergies?

For people who know they are allergic to shellfish, avoidance is always the best policy. Even a small amount of shrimp could trigger an allergic reaction, which in rare cases could become life-threatening through anaphylaxis.

People with shellfish allergy should also abstain from other crustaceans like lobster, crab, and crayfish. Making sure you read ingredient labels carefully and ask about preparation methods at restaurants can help avoid accidental shellfish exposures.

But for people not allergic to shellfish, shrimp and orange juice can be safely consumed together. Keep eating a varied, balanced diet without worrying about this particular combination.

Other Myths About Deadly Food Combinations

The shrimp and orange juice myth is far from the only spurious claim about certain food pairings being toxic or lethal. Here are some other examples of combination myths that can be disproven:

• Milk and citrus: Contrary to popular belief, this combo won’t curdle your stomach acid or cause digestive upset for most people. The citric acid in citrus fruit is nowhere near potent enough to curdle milk on contact.

• Bananas and milk: This is another duo often claimed to cause digestive woes, but there’s no clinical evidence supporting that. Both foods are common worldwide without issues.

• Yogurt and berries: You’ll often see warnings that dairy and berries shouldn’t be eaten together, but there’s no documented reason to avoid mixing yogurt or other dairy with berries.

The bottom line is that most of these forbidden food duo myths don’t hold up to scrutiny. Unless you have a specific food sensitivity, common food combinations like fruits with dairy or seafood dishes with citrus juice pose no harm.

The Takeaway: Enjoy Shrimp And OJ Worry-Free

Based on all the evidence, there’s no reason to fear mixing shrimp and orange juice. No scientific studies or case reports suggest this combination could lead to arsenic poisoning or other health risks.

As with most food myths, the warnings seem to originate from unsubstantiated online rumors rather than any concrete facts. While arsenic in large amounts can be dangerous, the trace amounts found in shrimp are not in a form your body absorbs easily.

The bottom line is you can confidently enjoy shrimp scampi squeezed with fresh orange at your next dinner party without the slightest concern. Just don’t serve it to any guests with shellfish allergies – for them, even a bite of shrimp could be problematic.

So the next time you see this myth circulated on social media, you’ll have the facts to set the record straight. Food myths and misinformation thrive when they go unchallenged, so do your part to share the truth.