Tag: Raw rhubarb

While rhubarb is botanically a vegetable, a 1947 New York court legally classified it as a fruit because it is most often cooked that way. So, is it better to eat rhubarb raw or cooked? The answer depends on your taste, desired texture, and health considerations regarding its oxalic acid content.

Used as a traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years, rhubarb has long been recognized for its digestive properties. The question, **is raw rhubarb a laxative**, is a common one, and the short answer is yes, its potent purgative effects come from compounds in its raw state.

According to a 2011 study, compounds in rhubarb extracts have a dose-dependent, 'two-way' effect on the liver, offering protection at lower doses but potentially causing toxicity at higher doses. But the critical distinction to understand is whether raw rhubarb is good for your liver, or if its unprocessed form presents significant health risks.

While it's a common misconception that rhubarb stalks are toxic, the real question is: **is rhubarb healthy to eat raw**? The stalks of the rhubarb plant are perfectly safe for consumption, but the leaves contain high concentrations of a toxic compound known as oxalic acid and must be avoided at all costs.