How many cherry seeds can kill you? 

In this brief guide, we’ll address the search query: “How many cherry seeds can kill you?” Also, we’ll explore how poisonous cherry seeds are, what are the symptoms of cherry seed poisoning, how soon a person can die of cherry seed poisoning, how cherry seed poisoning can be treated, and how cherry seed poisoning can be avoided. 

How many cherry seeds can kill you? 

The number of cherry seeds that can be dangerous to eat depends on whether they’re crushed or intact, what concentration of amygdalin each one has, and a person’s size and body weight. 

It takes several cherry seeds to kill a person if they’re intact. While the toxin in cherry seeds is certainly dangerous, it would take quite a few of them to kill someone. Namely, as the concentration of amygdalin (which our bodies convert to cyanide) in each cherry pit varies, it would be challenging to determine exactly how many would cause lethal poisoning. 

Some authors suggest that Ingesting between 50 and 100 seeds can be fatal, while others maintain that eating between 20 to 30 seeds. However, most people would not be able to eat that many cherry pits without realizing it, and crushed or damaged cherry pits are more likely to cause damage to a person, as intact pits travel the digestive tract and are not digested. 

An average-size person can tolerate up to 50 milligrams of cyanide in their system, though small 

Cherry seed poisoning is most dangerous for children, as they are more likely to eat a large number of seeds without realizing the danger they pose.

How poisonous are cherry seeds? 

Cherry seeds are poisonous, as they contain a compound known as amygdalin. 

This substance is converted into cyanide inside a person’s body. The amount of amygdalin that is converted to cyanide that can be considered lethal is between 0.5 milligrams to 3.5 milligrams per kilogram. 

Compared to these poisons found in seeds cherry seeds are not very poisonous however, it is still important to be mindful of their toxicity and to take care when handling them.

What are the symptoms of cherry seed poisoning? 

Cherry seeds can release hydrogen cyanide, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, and as such, poisoning by cherry pits is a serious health risk, and in some patients, it can lead to death. 

Symptoms of cherry seed poisoning usually occur within a few hours of ingestion and may also include dizziness, headache, and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately, or dial your local poison control. 

How soon can a person die of cherry seed poisoning?  

It can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours for the poison to take effect, and from there, it will depend on how resilient an individual is, as some may be more susceptible to poisoning symptoms. 

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme stomach pain. If not treated right away, the person can go into a coma and eventually die, or in severe cases, die of ischemia, cardiac arrest, etc. 

How can cherry seed poisoning be treated? 

If you believe that you or someone you know has been poisoned by cherry seeds, seek medical attention immediately. 

Cherry seed poisoning can be treated, but it is important to seek help as soon as possible. The sooner you get treatment, the better your chances of a full recovery.

Our readers should have quick access to a poison control hotline, and from there, follow procedures such as driving the patient to a hospital or providing an antidote that may be found in a first-aid kit. 

How can cherry seed poisoning be avoided? 

The best way to avoid cherry seed poisoning is to avoid consuming cherry pits altogether. If our readers do accidentally swallow a seed, they should drink plenty of water and try to vomit it up. 

However, If they experience any symptoms, they should seek medical help immediately.

Although it is rare, cherry seed poisoning can be deadly. Symptoms usually occur within two hours of ingestion and can include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

We urge our readers to be mindful of their health and to avoid consuming cherry pits. Also, we urge them to keep a careful eye on small children and avoid providing cherry pits to them, as they are unlikely to be aware of the risks. 

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we’ve addressed the search query: “How many cherry seeds can kill you?” Also, we’ve explored how poisonous cherry seeds are, what are the symptoms of cherry seed poisoning, how soon a person can die of cherry seed poisoning, how cherry seed poisoning can be treated, and how cherry seed poisoning can be avoided. 

References 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanide_poisoning#Treatment
https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/cyanide/basics/facts.asp#:~:text=Immediate%20signs%20and%20symptoms%20of,Nausea%20and%20vomiting
https://www.medicinenet.com/are_cherry_pits_safe_to_eat_cyanide_content/article.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/cyanide-poisoning#treatment

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