Some of the fruits and vegetables that we enjoy eating may contain very dangerous toxic substances. A 20-year-old British man nearly died after chewing and swallowing the cherry stones (also known as cherry pits) of two cherries, which caused him to have high fever and severe headaches, and he required emergency treatment to survive. According to the American health portal ‘WebMD’, 10 ordinary foods containing toxins were introduced.
- Cherry Stones
Cherry stones contain a lot of cyanide. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that a man once ate two cherries, including their stones, and 10 minutes later, he suffered from severe fever and headaches, requiring him to be taken to the emergency room. The patient recovered after receiving detoxification therapy. However, there is no need to panic if you accidentally swallow a cherry pit; it will automatically be excreted from your body without harm.
- Star Fruit
Star fruit (also known as carambola) is a sweet fruit shaped like a star that grows in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and other regions. It contains polyphenol vitamin C and vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and other antioxidants. Star fruit juice can lower blood pressure, and leaf extracts can help with skin health due to collagen. Healthy people can dispose of the neurotoxin in the fruit, but patients with kidney disease cannot. This toxin can cause confusion, seizures, and even death. Therefore, individuals with kidney disease should be especially careful.
- Apple Seeds
Almost no one eats the central part of the apple, including its seeds. However, children, individuals with mental disabilities, and Alzheimer’s disease patients should be prevented from chewing apple seeds because they contain cyanide. If you accidentally swallow an apple seed, there is no need to worry, as it will generally pass through your body in your stool. However, inhaling even a small amount of cyanide can cause shortness of breath, seizures, and in severe cases, even death.
- Mango
Urusiol, a toxic substance, is found in the mango peel and leaves. It is a toxin found in poison ivy. If individuals with an allergy to poison ivy chew mango, they may experience swelling, rashes, and difficulty breathing.
- Raw Cashew
Urusiol, another toxic substance, is also found in the shell of cashews. Boiling cashews can remove the toxin. Eating raw cashews can cause an allergic reaction. In severe cases, individuals can even lose their lives.
- Bitter Almonds
Almonds have both a sweet and bitter taste and contain amygdalin, a compound that can turn into cyanide.