Big brother, we have so many seeds at home for the New Year! There are black ones, white ones, and even patterned ones.

Yes, those are watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. They are all very nutritious, can protect the heart, and even make us smarter.

Oh no, I just ate a bitter one. It tasted awful, but I swallowed it.

Go rinse your mouth right away! Bitter seeds might be moldy and contain aflatoxins. That’s a very dangerous toxin that can cause cancer.

Is it that serious? But what if they are roasted?

No, even then it’s not safe. This toxin is heat-resistant. So next time you taste something strange, spit it out immediately—don’t swallow it.

Got it! Then can I keep eating them all the time? I really like cracking seeds ‘crack crack crack’.

Don’t be greedy. Doctors say you should only eat one or two handfuls a day. And choose plain ones—those that are too sweet or too salty are not good for your health.