Open strong:
“It feeds half a billion people—yet if prepared wrong, it can kill.”
That contrast hooks readers immediately without sounding clickbait-y.
2. Explain why it’s dangerous (clearly, early)
Readers need clarity fast.
Cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides
Improper processing → cyanide poisoning
Chronic exposure → diseases like konzo (paralysis)
Keep it simple, no chemistry overload.
3. Contextualize the “200 deaths a year”
Avoid fear-mongering:
Deaths mostly linked to famine, war, poverty, or drought
Not from normal, traditional preparation
