Tag: Poisonous seeds

Over centuries, the large, heart-shaped seeds of the *Entada gigas* vine have washed ashore worldwide, becoming cherished tokens of good luck for beachcombers. However, a persistent and dangerous misunderstanding exists, as many people mistakenly wonder, "Can you eat sea heart beans?" The answer is a definitive no, as these hard seeds are toxic when unprocessed and should never be consumed.

According to agricultural ministries, loquat seeds contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides that can release cyanide when digested. The direct answer to whether loquat seeds are poisonous to eat is yes, especially if consumed in large quantities, crushed, or ground.

Cherimoya seeds are known to contain toxic compounds called annonaceous acetogenins, which can act as a neurotoxin if the seeds are crushed and ingested. However, if you swallow a cherimoya seed whole, it will most likely pass through your digestive system without causing harm.

According to America’s Poison Centers, cherry pits are among the most common fruit seeds associated with accidental ingestion cases. While a few accidentally swallowed fruit seeds are typically harmless, it is important to know what seeds are bad to swallow to minimize risks associated with toxic compounds.

Contrary to a popular childhood myth, swallowing a citrus seed will not cause a tree to grow in your stomach. In fact, most citrus seeds are not poisonous and an accidentally ingested seed is rarely cause for concern. However, this doesn't mean all seeds are equally harmless, and some people may experience issues, especially when eating them in large quantities.

An estimated 86 million tonnes of apples were produced worldwide in 2020, but a long-standing myth about their seeds continues to cause concern. Are apple seeds safe to ingest? The answer lies in understanding a natural compound called amygdalin, which is present in the seeds but only poses a risk in large, crushed quantities.

According to Poison Control, unintentional ingestion of a few stone fruit pits is unlikely to cause poisoning, but is it okay to eat the inside of a peach seed purposefully? The answer, in short, is no, due to the presence of a natural toxin that can turn into cyanide when digested.

Over 50,000,000 people die each year globally, but death-by-apple-seed is extremely rare because the toxic compound amygdalin is locked behind a hard shell and requires large quantities to be dangerous if crushed. However, this well-known example highlights the fact that while many seeds are nutritious, some carry significant risks and should be avoided or consumed with extreme caution.

Peaches belong to the genus *Prunus*, the same botanical family as almonds, apricots, and cherries. Inside the hard, wrinkled pit of a peach lies a single, almond-shaped seed, which is also known as a kernel or noyau. While these kernels are the source of certain flavor extracts, they contain a compound that makes them potentially toxic if consumed raw in large quantities.

With over 500 species in its genus, the *Caesalpinia* plant is prized for its vibrant ornamental flowers in many gardens. But is the Caesalpinia edible, or is its beauty deceiving? The answer is clear: the plant is generally considered toxic, with mature seeds posing a significant health risk to both humans and pets.