Chewing cherry pits can be dangerous because they break down and mix with saliva in the mouth, releasing cyanide. Keep in mind that amygdalin is only released from the cherry pits when they are crushed or chewed, so if you accidentally swallow the whole batch, you’re likely to be fine. We all know the toxic amygdalin found in cherry pits is bad for human health as it can cause cyanide poisoning, but for your relief, swallowing cherries won’t do any harm to your health.
Swallowing a cherry pit is unlikely to do anything. Cherry pits are indigestible, so they pass through the body without issue. However, if the pit is chewed, then a small volume of cyanide is released. The cyanide of a single pit is not enough to damage an adult’s health, but it can become deadly if many pits are chewed.
Interestingly, whether eating a cherry pit is bad for your body depends on whether you eat it whole or if you accidentally chew or crush it. Eating the cherry pit directly will not harm your body as it passes through the gut without causing any harm, but if the cherry pit is chewed, it releases the toxic chemical amygdalin, which can cause hydrogen cyanide to form in the body , causing poisoning. Cyanide. A whole cherry may still be safe because your dog actually has to open the pit to release the cyanide-like chemical.
Other Animals May Eat Cherry seeds with Minimal Concern
If your dog doesn’t eat cherries, he’s even less likely to want to eat the leaves and stems of the fruit. Older dogs sometimes develop blockages, so if he eats cherries, you really should pay attention to your dog, no matter how small it is. If a dog eats only the pulp of raw cherries, it will not be poisoned, but it may have an upset stomach.
While you are required to spit out the pits when you eat cherries, you can sometimes swallow a few by mistake. You realize that you accidentally tossed in a few whole cherries without removing the core, and have now swallowed a few. If you find that your dog has eaten more pitted cherries, it’s a good idea to see your veterinarian as a precaution. To prevent any danger, remove the pits as early as possible, or teach children to spit out the seeds and pits before swallowing them.
Avoid Letting Small Children Eat Whole Cherries
Another thing to keep in mind is that young children should not eat anything that contains kernels and seeds, as these can pose a significant risk to your child. While inadvertent ingestion of the pits of some stone fruits is generally not a problem, prevention is key; swallowing should always be avoided and the stone should never be crushed or chewed. While accidentally ingesting kernels or pits is usually nothing to worry about, it’s best to prevent it, which means chewing the fruit thoroughly and avoiding ingestion of the kernels.
Accidentally chewing and swallowing a few pits can lead to symptoms such as headaches, seizures, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms such as migraine attacks and difficulty breathing can occur if many pits are accidentally chewed and swallowed. Swallowing a small amount of whole cherry pits is generally safe, but they present a choking hazard and can block the colon in sufficient quantities.
As scary as it sounds, eating cherry pits usually doesn’t cause poisoning because the seeds remain inside an indigestible shell, according to the National Poison Control Center. According to the National Capital Poison Control Center (NCPC), unlike fruit pulp, cherry pits are indigestible and pass through your body unharmed. It is not the cherry itself that is poisonous, but the stone inside the cherry.
Remove the Pits from Cherries before Eating
Whether you’re eating a bowl of cherries for a snack or blending them into a delicious smoothie, you need to remove all of their seeds. To remove the pit from a cherry, you can always use a specially designed pit or do it by hand by following these simple steps. Whether or not you get poisoned depends on the variety of cherries, the number of pits you have eaten, your weight and age.
The kernels and seeds of many fruits contain amygdalin, a plant compound that your body converts to cyanide after eating. The seeds (also known as kernels, pits, or pits) of stone fruits such as apricots, cherries, plums, and peaches contain a compound called amygdalin, which breaks down into hydrogen cyanide when ingested.
The US website Nutrition Explain claims that fruit seeds, including apples, cherries, peaches and apricots, contain a type of hydrogen cyanide called rutonic acid. In addition to being bitter and difficult to chew, the seeds of some fruits like cherries, apricots, plums, and peaches contain cyanide, which your body can convert into cyanide. According to Michigan State University, both wild and domestic cherry (Prunus spp) seeds contain cyanide. While apple pits can always be eaten as a delicacy, cherry pits, as well as apricot, peach, and apple pits, contain cyanide, which can have some very serious side effects if ingested.
Choking Is More of a Hazard than Poisoning
Ingestion of fruit pits is also considered more dangerous for children and pets, not only because of the cyanide content, but also because of the potential choking hazard. Since the kernels of these fruits are supposed to have poisonous properties, some people are concerned about their safety. While the seeds of some fruits can be toxic, not only are date seeds not 100% toxic, but they also have numerous health benefits.
The potential choking hazard is especially dangerous for young children, who may not have much experience with cherries or other similar fruits. It is definitely safe to eat cherries during pregnancy; you can also swallow holes without suffering real problems. The main reason for these symptoms is that the cherry is a fruit that contains a significant amount of dietary fiber that our stomach cannot easily digest, and that the kernels or seeds of the cherry then pass completely through our body’s digestive system, causing such symptoms.
