7. Cherry Pits
Cherries are beloved for their sweet, juicy flavor and are often enjoyed fresh, in desserts, or as part of various recipes. However, cherry pits (the hard seeds inside the fruit) contain amygdalin, a compound that can release cyanide when broken down in the body. While swallowing a whole cherry pit usually won’t cause harm since it likely passes through the digestive system intact, chewing or crushing the pit can release this cyanide compound, posing a potential health risk.
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning from cherry pits include difficulty breathing, confusion, and in severe cases, death. While it would take a large number of chewed cherry pits to cause acute poisoning in most adults, the risk is higher for children and pets due to their smaller body sizes. For instance, just a few crushed pits can be enough to make a small child or pet ill.
If you enjoy cherries regularly, it’s best to remove the pits entirely or eat them with caution to avoid accidentally biting down on one. As a general safety practice, avoid consuming or playing with cherry pits and keep them out of reach of children and animals.
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