Just a bite from this tiny beetle, you won't be able to eat meat forever

Small but deeply internal, this tiny beetle would be a terror to the devotees of meat.

Small but deeply internal, this tiny beetle would be a terror to the devotees of meat.

In the world it is true that there is no shortage of bugs and insects, sitting around with names all day is not over. Some types can "give" you terrible pain with just one bite, others have the ability to transmit toxins that cause paralysis or danger rather than death.

Fortunately, the main character today does not belong to any of the above groups because they are quite harmless. But don't be happy, because your life will completely change if you encounter this bug. Because only one bite from this tiny beetle, you will forever end your love for meat.

Picture 1 of Just a bite from this tiny beetle, you won't be able to eat meat forever

The moment this happiness will only be past.

The insect we are talking about is the lonely star bug (scientific name: Amblyomma americanum). The reason it has such a "lyrical" name is also because on their back there are characteristic signs similar to stars.

Picture 2 of Just a bite from this tiny beetle, you won't be able to eat meat forever

Lonely star bugs.

Lonely star bugs were originally found only in the southern United States, parasites on deer. However, since deer are carried in many places, they gradually expand their living environment. The location of this species can be found in scrubland forests or along rivers and streams where many animals reside.

The size of lonely star beetles is relatively small. An adult beetle has a rather round shape and is only 6 - 12mm long. However, their colors range from yellow brown to red brown. The star on the back can also be white, cream, gold or bronze.

Picture 3 of Just a bite from this tiny beetle, you won't be able to eat meat forever

The saliva of this bug contains a special sugar called Alpha gal.

Alright, so how does it affect the meat dishes? In fact, it has been studied in the salivary glands of this bug that contain special sugars called Alpha gal .

This type of sugar is not found in human bodies but occurs in red meats such as pork, beef and some other dairy products.

When someone is " bitten" by a lonely star bug, it will carry this sugar into the victim's body. Our immune system will then react by creating antibodies against all the ingredients in the bite, including Alpha gal.

Picture 4 of Just a bite from this tiny beetle, you won't be able to eat meat forever

After being bitten, this person will have a serious allergy when eating meat.

And so for the rest of his life, he will have a serious allergy every time he eats meat. The manifestations include rash, edema, vomiting or, worse, choking.

Of course, being bitten by a lonely star bug does not make you a complete vegetarian. Some other foods such as fish or poultry do not contain Alpha gal, so these dishes are still on the safe list.

Picture 5 of Just a bite from this tiny beetle, you won't be able to eat meat forever

Eating chicken thighs is still safe.

For people who are obese or have too much fat, this can be considered a . good news. Because it is exactly a perfect diet, no matter how much you crave meat, you can't "mess".

However, for the fans of meat, the lonely star beetle is evil. So next time you see an insect with a star shape on your back, don't hesitate to run away!

Update 17 December 2018
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