What happens when you swallow too many cherry pits?

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cyanide poisoning symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, and more. Swallowing too many cherry pits can be hazardous, as the pits contain a compound that can convert to the toxin hydrogen cyanide.

Quick Summary

The risks of swallowing too many cherry pits vary, posing potential threats from intestinal blockage to cyanide poisoning, particularly if the pits are crushed. Factors like quantity and whether the pits were chewed impact the severity of health outcomes.

Key Points

Cyanide Risk: Crushing or chewing cherry pits releases amygdalin, which converts into toxic hydrogen cyanide in the body.
Intestinal Blockage: Swallowing a large number of whole cherry pits can cause a dangerous intestinal blockage, especially in children.
Swallowing Intact Pits: Accidentally swallowing one or two intact pits typically won't cause cyanide poisoning, as the hard shell prevents toxin release.
High-Speed Blenders: Using whole cherries in a blender is risky, as the blades can crush the pits and release cyanide into a smoothie.
Seek Medical Help: If multiple pits are chewed, or symptoms like headache, dizziness, or nausea occur, contact Poison Control or seek immediate medical attention.
Children Are More Vulnerable: Due to lower body weight and smaller digestive systems, children face higher risks from both toxicity and choking.
Pit Removal is Key: The safest practice is to always remove all pits from cherries before eating, cooking, or blending.

The Core Concern: Amygdalin and Cyanide

At the heart of the risk associated with cherry pits is a naturally occurring compound called amygdalin. When the hard outer shell of the pit is cracked, crushed, or chewed, enzymes come into contact with the amygdalin, converting it into hydrogen cyanide, a highly toxic chemical. While the hard shell protects the amygdalin from being released if the pit is swallowed whole, chewing or blending the pits allows the harmful conversion to occur. The potential for harm depends on several factors, including the number of pits consumed, the specific type of cherry, and whether the pits were chewed or swallowed whole.

Mechanical Obstruction Risks

If cherry pits are swallowed whole and in large quantities, a different set of problems can arise. Since the pits are not digestible, they pass through the gastrointestinal tract intact. While one or two accidentally swallowed pits are typically not a cause for concern, ingesting many at once can create a mechanical issue.

Children are at higher risk: Due to their smaller intestinal tracts, young children are more susceptible to developing a blockage from a collection of cherry pits.
Symptoms of intestinal blockage: A large number of pits can cause a blockage leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Severe cases require medical intervention: In rare instances, a severe obstruction might require a medical procedure to resolve.

Cyanide Toxicity Dangers

The more serious danger arises from crushing or chewing the pits, which releases the amygdalin and initiates cyanide conversion. The amount of cyanide required to cause toxicity can vary, but even smaller quantities can lead to adverse effects.

Mild symptoms: Initial signs of mild exposure might include headaches, dizziness, minor stomach upset, and confusion.
Severe symptoms: More concentrated exposure can lead to rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, seizures, loss of consciousness, and potentially fatal outcomes.
Different cherries, different risks: The concentration of amygdalin varies by cherry type. For example, Morello cherries have a significantly higher concentration of amygdalin compared to black or red cherries, meaning fewer pits are needed to reach toxic levels.

Cyanide Poisoning vs. Intestinal Blockage: A Comparison


Aspect	Cyanide Poisoning	Intestinal Blockage
Cause	Crushing or chewing pits, releasing amygdalin which converts to cyanide.	Swallowing a large number of whole, uncrushed pits.
Onset	Can be rapid, with symptoms appearing within minutes to hours.	Gradual, with symptoms appearing as pits accumulate and obstruct the bowel.
Symptoms	Headache, dizziness, rapid heart rate, breathing difficulty, nausea, seizures.	Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation.
Severity	Can be life-threatening and potentially fatal in severe cases.	Can be serious, particularly for children, sometimes requiring surgery.
Affected System	Primarily affects the nervous and respiratory systems by disrupting oxygen transport.	Primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract by creating a physical obstruction.

How to Handle Potential Cherry Pit Ingestion

If you believe you have accidentally swallowed a few whole pits, the risk is generally low, but it's important to monitor for any unusual symptoms. If you have chewed or crushed multiple pits, or if a child has ingested them, immediate action is necessary. A man in Lancashire experienced cyanide poisoning after chewing just three cherry seeds, highlighting the potential danger. For prompt and professional advice, Poison Control should be contacted immediately.

Blending Risks

Using a high-speed blender for smoothies with whole cherries is a common way to accidentally crush and pulverize the pits, releasing the toxic compound. The Missouri Poison Center advises removing all stone fruit pits before blending to eliminate this risk. In cases where this may have occurred, it is best to contact Poison Control for guidance.

Conclusion: Prevention is the Best Policy

While accidental ingestion of one or two whole cherry pits is unlikely to cause serious harm, the consumption of many or—more dangerously—chewed or crushed pits can lead to severe health issues, including potentially fatal cyanide poisoning. The hard outer shell provides a temporary defense, but this is easily breached by teeth or blenders. Prevention is the best approach; always remove cherry pits before eating or cooking with the fruit, and teach children the importance of spitting them out. If significant ingestion of crushed or whole pits occurs, contact Poison Control or seek immediate medical attention. For further information on amygdalin and cyanide toxicity, you can review details from the National Institutes of Health.

Tips for Enjoying Cherries Safely

Use a pitter: A dedicated cherry pitter makes removing the pits fast and easy, significantly reducing the risk of accidental ingestion.
Be vigilant with children: Always supervise young children when they are eating cherries to ensure they spit out the pits.
Prepare smoothies with care: Before adding cherries to a blender, make sure all pits have been removed to prevent crushing and toxin release.
Know your cherries: Be aware that certain cherry varieties, like the Morello, may contain higher concentrations of amygdalin and pose a greater risk if the pits are consumed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Swallowing a whole, intact cherry pit is generally not poisonous because the hard outer shell prevents the release of the toxic compound, amygdalin. It will likely pass through your digestive system unchanged.

Mild symptoms of cyanide poisoning can include headache, dizziness, mild stomach upset, nausea, and anxiety. Severe symptoms may involve rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, or seizures.

There is no definitive number, as toxicity depends on body weight and the type of cherry. However, as few as 3–4 crushed Morello cherry pits or 7–9 black or red cherry pits could potentially cause cyanide toxicity. In one reported case, a man became ill after chewing just three seeds.

If a child has swallowed several whole pits, monitor them for signs of intestinal blockage (e.g., abdominal pain, vomiting) and contact a poison control center immediately for guidance. If any pits were chewed, seek immediate medical attention.

No, you should never blend whole cherries with the pits. A high-speed blender can easily crush the pits, releasing the toxic compound into your drink and creating a serious poisoning risk.

Yes, many stone fruits, including apricots, peaches, and plums, contain the cyanide-producing compound amygdalin in their pits. The risk profile is similar to cherries: the pits are toxic if crushed or chewed, but less of a concern if swallowed whole.

No, it is not safe to consume cherry pits in any form. While some claim health benefits, these are unsupported by scientific evidence and the risks of cyanide exposure outweigh any unsubstantiated claims. The safest method is to always remove and discard the pits.

Symptoms of an intestinal obstruction can include severe abdominal pain, persistent nausea, vomiting, and constipation. These symptoms may appear gradually as the pits accumulate.