Cherry pits contain cyanogenic glycosides. It is not toxic in itself, but cyanogen glycosides release hydrocyanic acid under the action of enzymes and acids, which makes them toxic. However, for cherry pits, the content of cyanogenic glycosides that can be converted into toxic substances is too low. To reach the toxic dose, an average adult needs to eat at least 4 to 5 pounds of cherry pits. Common symptoms of hydrocyanic acid poisoning include bitter taste in the mouth, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, etc.

1. Introduction to Cherry

Cherry is the Chinese name of Acerola cherry. Native to the Caribbean region of tropical America, the West Indies, it is also known as the West Indian cherry. It is suitable for growing in tropical and subtropical areas with abundant rainfall, sufficient sunshine and suitable temperature. It is famous for being rich in vitamin C and is recognized by the world as the king of natural VC and the fruit of life.

2. Cherry pit cyanogenic glycosides are highly toxic when exposed to gastric acid

1. For cherry pits, the content of cyanogenic glycosides that can be converted into toxic substances is too low. . To reach the toxic dose, an average adult needs to eat at least 4 to 5 pounds of cherry pits. It is obviously an exaggeration to say that an adult will be poisoned to death if he eats four to five cherry pits. Moreover, cherry pits themselves are very small, difficult to chew, and difficult to digest. Most of them will be excreted in the feces, so don’t worry.

2. Cyanogenic glycosides are widely distributed in the plant kingdom, but fortunately, the content of most plants is not high. Processing and cooking, and moderate intake of cyanogenic glycosides, are not easy to cause poisoning.

3. Hospital: There are no cases of poisoning, but it is necessary to prevent children from getting fruit pits stuck in their throats

Instead of worrying about poisoning from eating cherries, we must pay attention to the gastrointestinal burden caused by eating too many cherries. Heavy, causing indigestion. It is understood that hospitals in various places have not received any cases of cyanide poisoning caused by eating cherries. However, hospital emergency medical staff reminded that during the season when cherries are on the market in large quantities, people often eat too many cherries, which overburdens the gastrointestinal tract and causes indigestion. It is recommended to control food intake. In addition, medical staff reminded that if children eat cherries, melon seeds, etc., the fruit core may get stuck in the throat. Parents are advised to use chopsticks to remove the fruit core to prevent the fruit core from getting stuck in the child's trachea and suffocating.

IV. Precautions for eating cherries

1. If the cherry stems are black, the surface is dark, and sticky, it means they are not fresh and should not be eaten anymore.

2. Chewing or biting cherry pits will produce hydrocyanic acid. Symptoms of mild hydrocyanic acid poisoning include headache, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, and vomiting. Large amounts of hydrocyanic acid can cause difficulty breathing, high blood pressure, fast heartbeat, and kidney failure. Other reactions include coma, convulsions, and in the most severe cases, respiratory failure and death. When giving cherries to children, please be careful not to let them chew the cherry pits. It is best to dispose of them beforehand.

3. Don’t eat cherries on an empty stomach. Stomach acid combines with the pectin and soluble substances in cherries to produce insoluble precipitates, leading to indigestion or diarrhea.

5. Situations in which you should not eat cherries

1. Cherries are hot in nature and can easily generate dampness. If you are hot or on fire, you may have oral ulcers, boils, hemorrhoids, cough due to deficiency of heat, etc. , you should not eat cherries, otherwise it will be more serious.

2. Cherries contain high potassium. Patients with kidney disease who eat too many cherries will develop hyperkalemia, which may even be life-threatening.

3. If you suffer from tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, do not eat cherries.

4. Cherries have high sugar content, so people with diabetes should not eat more.

6. How to avoid cyanide poisoning

Cyanide glycosides are contained in the seeds of cherries, apples, and other rose plants, such as apricots, peaches, plums, and loquats. It is not toxic in itself, but cyanogenic glycosides release hydrocyanic acid under the action of enzymes and acids, which is toxic. Common symptoms of hydrocyanic acid poisoning include bitter taste in the mouth, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, etc. In severe cases, unconsciousness, weak breathing, coma, and death due to severe hypoxia may occur. There will be no problem if you mainly do the following two things:

1. Don’t eat it raw. Because cyanogenic glycosides are unstable to heat, thorough heating is the most effective method for removing cyanogenic glycosides. Research shows that boiling can remove more than 90% of cyanogenic glycosides. Therefore, it is generally recommended not to eat these cyanogenic glycoside-containing foods raw, such as sweet potatoes and bamboo shoots.

2. Do not chew the seeds or cores of cherries, peaches, apples, apricots, pears, plums, loquats and other fruits. When juicing, be careful to remove the nuts.