How many cherry seeds can kill you? (+7 use cases)
In this article, we will answer the question “How many cherry seeds can kill you?”, and what are the fruits that can poison you to death if consumed in large enough quantities?
How many cherry seeds can kill you?
Eating 30 ground cherry seeds can kill you. So let’s do the maths: one cherry pit has approximately 3% amygdalin that gives 0.17% Hydrogen Cyanide. A cherry pit roughly weighs 1 gram. So, 30 cherry pits each weighing 1 gram having a Hydrogen Cyanide level of 0.17% will yield about 50mg of Hydrogen Cyanide, which is enough to kill you.
Are cherry pits poisonous?
Yes, cherry pits are poisonous when swallowed or chewed in large quantities. Cherry pits contain amygdalin which is converted to cyanide, which is a harmful chemical for humans. Some symptoms of consuming several cherry pits include nausea, headache, and seizures.
Do cherry pits have arsenic?
Not particularly, cherry pits contain another harmful substance known as amygdalin. This compound is broken down and converted into hydrogen cyanide in the body which is a poisonous compound. Nevertheless, they are poisonous and their consumption should be avoided.
Can cherries kill you?
Cherries can’t kill you. However, if you consume several cherry pits along with the fruit then it can lead to cyanide toxicity, which can be fatal. If consumed in large amounts cherry pits may lead to death.
What other fruits can be poisonous?
Drupes
Drupes are fruits with a stone in the center and juicy flesh surrounding them. It includes peaches, plums, apricots, and cherries. Drupes are infamous for having a poisonous pit. But ingesting the whole pit won’t do you any harm. A broken pit is something you need to look out for. The amount of cyanide varies for each type of fruit.
Rice
Rice, especially brown rice, contains arsenic that can be toxic. According to the FDA, rice contains about 2.6 to 7.3 micrograms of arsenic. Now we know that 50g of arsenic is required to knock down a 140-pound man. So that means you will eat 1800 cups of rice if we assume the serving size is ¼ cup.
Poison due to arsenic in rice is not possible unless exposed to it over a longer period of time which can lead to bladder cancer and heart diseases.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb stalks go with salad, pie fillings, and even cocktails. Skip the leaves because they contain oxalic acid. The same acid is a constituent of bleaches and anti-rust products. Oxalic acid can lead to an upset stomach that reflects in vomiting, nausea, burning inside mouth and throat, convulsions, and eventually death.
Heating the leaves to cooking temperatures will not help get rid of oxalic acid. It is best to avoid the leaves altogether. However, oxalic acid poisoning is rare. According to a study, a 130lb woman will have to eat 10lb of rhubarb leaves to get affected by oxalic acid poisoning.
Potato
Have you ever noticed potatoes in your pantry turning green especially during sprouting? This happens due to improper storage and the compound responsible for this is solanine, produced by all the members of Solanaceae except sweet potatoes.
Green potatoes look very unappealing and taste bitter. This type of poisoning is not an easy catch unless a 100lb adult devours a whole pound of completely green potatoes. Well, that is pretty tough and rare.
Health benefits of cherry
Rich source of anti-oxidants
Cherries are rich in polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamin C, all of which, have excellent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to help combat cellular damage and premature aging.
Enhances athletic performance
The anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds present in cherry juice have been found to reduce post-workout muscle soreness by speeding up muscle recovery.
Good for your heart
Polyphenols and potassium present in cherries boost heart health. 154g of pitted cherries gives you 10% of the DV for potassium that helps balance body fluids and maintains healthy sodium levels to protect your heart.
Other compounds like flavonols, catechins, and anthocyanins also have numerous benefits to maintain a healthy heart.
Fights arthritis
Cherries can help reduce uric acid levels and prevent the risk of gout due to their high content of anti-inflammatory compounds.
Treats insomnia
Cherries contain melatonin, a compound responsible for regulating the sleep cycle. A study showed that drinking a cup of cherry juice increased the sleep in insomniac patients by 84 minutes.
Easy to use
Cherries, whether tangy or sweet, pair well with nearly everything. Cherry products like cherry powder, cherry juice concentrates and cherry paste makes it easy to incorporate cherries into your diet in one way or the other.
How to add cherries to your diet?
- Eat fresh cherries, sweet or tangy, as a healthy snack.
- Make it a part of your favorite granola bars. Cherries go best with some bittersweet chocolate, coconut flakes, walnuts, and almonds.
- Add it to your salad bowls.
- Make muffins with dried cherries or add to cakes.
- Make a mocktail by adding tangy cherry juice to sparkling water. Finish it off with lemon juice for a lemony hint. Blend some cherries in your smoothies.
- Add cherry concentrates to your pies, ice creams, crumbles, custards, and other desserts.
- Add cherry juice or paste to marinades or sauces to get notes of cherry sweetness or tanginess.
The possibilities are endless. You just have to think a little creatively.
Other FAQs about Cherry that you may be interested in.
Where do cherry trees grow best?
Where does cherries come from?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “How many cherry seeds can kill you?”, and what are the fruits that can poison you to death if consumed in large enough quantities?
References
https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/foods-that-could-kill-you-if-you-eat-enough-of-them
