Avocado on toast might still be clinging on as the go-to breakfast for Instagram’s clean-eating parade, but new research shows that ordering smashed avo like a basic bitch might actually make you “get the glow” in more ways than one.
A recently published study from researchers at North Carolina State University shows how much radiation is emitted by everyday objects. And your brunch is included.
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According to the results, which were published a couple of weeks ago in the Health Physics journal, avocados emit 0.16 microgay per hour of gamma radiation, while bananas give off 0.17 microgay per hour.
Think about all that delicious radioactivity you’ll be ingesting next time you reach for the fruit bowl.
But don’t panic. However many avocados you’ve smashed and Spiralised your way through, you’re probably not going to morph into the three-eyed fish from The Simpsons.
The researchers explained in a press release that the study’s aim was to help people understand what is meant by “trace levels” of radiation. Robert Hayes, co-author of the paper and nuclear engineering professor, said: “We did this study because understanding how much radiation comes off of common household items helps place radiation readings in context—it puts things in perspective.”
He added: “If you’re surprised that your fruit is emitting gamma radiation, don’t panic. The regulatory level for workers—which is safe—is exposure to 50,000 microgay per hour, per year. The levels we’re talking about in your household are incredibly low.”
The scientists also compared the levels emitted by fruit to uranium, which has a gamma radiation level of 1.57 microgay per hour. Still, it is pretty terrifying that your brunch is only three quarters less radioactive than something that powers nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.
Getting that wellness “glow” suddenly doesn’t look quite so appealing.
