Cherries are a popular summer fruit, but the hard, stony center, commonly known as the pit, contains a compound that can be hazardous if consumed improperly. The cherry pit is the seed of the fruit, encased in a tough shell that serves as a natural defense mechanism. While accidentally swallowing a whole pit is unlikely to cause harm, crushing, chewing, or grinding the pit can release toxins. Understanding the science behind this potential danger is important for safe fruit consumption.
The Toxic Compound in Cherry Pits
The concern surrounding cherry pits stems from Amygdalin, a naturally occurring substance belonging to the class of cyanogenic glycosides. Amygdalin is chemically stable and harmless as long as the pit’s hard outer shell remains intact, as the compound is stored inside the seed.
The danger arises when the pit is damaged, such as by chewing or grinding, which allows Amygdalin to mix with specific enzymes. These enzymes, present in the pit and the digestive system, break down the glycoside. The byproduct of this reaction is hydrogen cyanide, a highly potent and fast-acting toxin that interferes with the body’s ability to use oxygen at a cellular level.
Understanding the Risk Threshold
The toxicity of cherry pits depends entirely on whether the hard shell is breached, releasing the Amygdalin. If a whole pit is swallowed accidentally, it typically passes through the digestive tract undigested and harmlessly because the shell prevents the enzyme reaction. The primary risk of swallowing multiple whole pits, especially for young children, is mechanical issues like intestinal blockage, not cyanide poisoning.
The risk is magnified when the pit is intentionally crushed, such as by chewing or blending. Cyanide content varies between cherry varieties; for instance, consuming seven to nine crushed pits from common cherries, or as few as three or four crushed Morello cherry pits, could potentially lead to acute toxicity symptoms in an adult.
The human body can detoxify small amounts of cyanide, meaning a single crushed pit is unlikely to be fatal. The fatal dose of cyanide is estimated to be between 0.6 and 1.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Children are significantly more susceptible to cyanide poisoning from consuming fewer crushed pits compared to an adult due to their lower body weight.
Recognizing Symptoms and Seeking Help
Symptoms of acute cyanide poisoning can manifest quickly, often within minutes to a few hours of consuming crushed pits. Early, milder signs of exposure include headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. These initial symptoms can progress rapidly as the body’s cells are deprived of oxygen.
More severe symptoms include rapid breathing, increased heart rate, confusion, weakness, seizures, loss of consciousness, or coma. If you suspect that someone, particularly a child, has chewed or consumed multiple crushed cherry pits, seeking immediate medical assistance is necessary.
The first step is to call a local poison control center or emergency services (911) for guidance. When speaking with emergency personnel, provide specific details about the estimated number of pits consumed and whether they were swallowed whole or crushed. Acting quickly allows medical professionals to initiate treatment, which may include administering specific antidotes to reverse the effects of cyanide toxicity.