Tag: Grass pea toxicity

An estimated 2.4% of the population in some endemic regions of Ethiopia has been affected by neurolathyrism, a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused by consuming large quantities of Lathyrus sativus. This hardy legume, often a lifeline during famine, contains a potent neurotoxin that can lead to permanent paralysis and other neurological damage. Understanding the specific side effects is crucial for preventing this severe and often irreversible condition.

Hippocrates first described a neurological disorder caused by *Lathyrus* seed consumption in 400 BC, making lathyrism one of the oldest known neurotoxic diseases. It is primarily caused by the overconsumption of legumes from the *Lathyrus* genus, particularly the grass pea (*Lathyrus sativus*), which contain harmful neurotoxins. This debilitating, irreversible condition is a major public health issue in regions facing drought and famine, where the resilient grass pea becomes a primary food source.