Common Foods That Can Be Toxic
Cherry pit
The hard rock at the center of the cherry is full of hydrocyanic acid, also known as cyanide, which is poisonous. However, if you accidentally swallow one of these, don’t panic – the intact bone will pass through your body and flow out the other side. Avoid crushed or crushed cherries.
Apple seeds
Apple seeds also contain cyanide, so it’s not wise to throw a handful away as a snack. Fortunately, apple seeds have a protective coating that prevents cyanide from entering your body if you accidentally eat them. But it’s good to be careful. Even small doses of cyanide can cause shortness of breath, convulsions, and possibly death.
Elderberry
You can use elderberries in syrup or supplement form to boost your immune system and treat cold or flu symptoms or constipation. But eating raw berries, bark, or elderberries may make you feel worse, not better. They contain lectins and cyanide, two chemicals that cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg imparts a pleasant nutty flavor when added to baked goods in small amounts. But if eaten with a spoon, it can cause serious problems for your body. Even less than 2 teaspoons can be toxic to your body due to myristin, this oil can cause hallucinations, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and seizures.
Green potatoes
Potato leaves, buds, and underground stems (tubers) contain toxic substances called glycoalkaloids. Glycoalkaloids turn potatoes green when exposed to light, spoilage, or aging. Eating glycoalkaloid-rich potatoes can cause nausea, diarrhea, confusion, headaches and death.
Green beans
Of all the beans, raw red beans contain the most lectins. Lectins are toxic substances that can cause stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea. It only takes 4-5 raw beans to cause these side effects, so it’s best to cook the beans before eating them.
Rhubarb leaves
The stems are edible, but leaves are left behind. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which binds to calcium, making it difficult for the body to absorb. As a result, your bones cannot grow properly and you are at risk for kidney stones, bleeding problems, vomiting, diarrhea and coma.
Bitter almonds
Both bitter and sweet almonds contain amygdalin, a compound that can be converted into cyanide, but bitter almonds have the highest levels. Sweet almonds are safe to eat, but raw bitter almonds can cause pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
