Can kiwifruit and crab be eaten together?
Jun 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, it is not recommended to consume kiwifruit and crab together; it is advised to eat them at different times. Crab contains pentavalent arsenic compounds, which are inherently harmless to the human body. However, kiwifruit is rich in vitamin C, which can chemically react with the pentavalent arsenic in crab, converting it into toxic trivalent arsenic. This may potentially cause poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Generally speaking, kiwifruit and crab are not recommended to be consumed together. It is advised to have a time interval between their consumption. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Crab contains pentavalent arsenic compounds, which are harmless to the human body by themselves. However, kiwifruit is rich in vitamin C, which can chemically react with the pentavalent arsenic in crab, converting it into toxic trivalent arsenic. This may potentially cause poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If you would like to enjoy both foods, it is recommended to leave a time interval between consuming them to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.
In addition, certain populations, such as individuals with allergic constitutions—especially those with a history of allergies to seafood or fruits—may experience allergic reactions, including rashes and difficulty breathing, when consuming kiwifruit and crab together. People with sensitive digestive systems may also experience gastrointestinal discomfort, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, when consuming both foods simultaneously. Therefore, it is not recommended to consume these two foods together.
In daily diets, it is recommended to properly combine foods, pay attention to portion control, and avoid excessive consumption of any single food item, which helps maintain good health.
