Why did Pythagoras fear beans?

[Gear300]

Why did Pythagoras fear beans? Somebody told me two years ago it was for the same reason he bought only Ukrainian wheat from Whole Foods. Radiation poisoning. Two years since and I still haven't figured what he meant.

 

[phinds]

Somebody told me two years ago it was for the same reason he bought only Ukrainian wheat from Whole Foods.

I didn't even know they HAD Whole Foods back in Pythagoras's day.

 

[Gear300]

Lol. I read it like that too at first.

 

[DaveE]

he bought only Ukrainian wheat from Whole Foods. Radiation poisoning.

So he wanted radiation poisoning then? #Chernobyl
Still, no telling what they put in the wheat from Kansas.

BTW, have you tried google search yet? I find it very useful myself.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/favism-fava-beans

 

[Klystron]

The warning about fearing certain beans rings a faint bell from studying the classics. Some beans or seeds from the Mediterranean basin where Pythagoras lived appear edible but may contain mild to fatal toxins, such as castor beans that produce ricin.

If memory serves, Pythagoreans had some unusual community rules including diet and permissible consumables.

 

[Gear300]

🧐 I see. Thanks for the replies. I have been enlightened.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Campfire scene from Blazing Saddles? Just sayin'.

 

[Gear300]

Campfire scene from Blazing Saddles? Just sayin'.

I remember that one.