Significance

Food consumed on a daily basis can come from plants that are poisonous. However, mass production has made most of these foods safe. When the wrong part of plant or fruit (seeds) are eaten that are not meant for consumption, the results can be deadly.

Almonds

Almonds are actually seeds, not nuts. Almonds are either sweet or bitter. Bitter almonds, if not processed, are loaded with cyanide. The sale of raw almonds is prohibited in the United States, and all almonds sold must be heat treated for the removal of the poison and bacteria.

Cherries and More

Cherry seeds that are crushed, chewed, or even slightly bruised, produce prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide). The seeds should not be munched on or sucked on when cherries are eaten. Nectarine, peach and plum seeds all contain cyanide and should not be eaten.

Apples

Apple seeds also contain cyanide, but in very small doses. The seeds in one apple do not contain enough of the poison to be a problem, but eating copious amounts definitely could. The American Medical Association's Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants notes that apple seeds are particularity harmful in large amounts to children.

Apricot Seeds

Apricot seeds contain cyanide and can be lethal at very high doses. The seeds are used by some seeking alternative treatment for certain cancers. Consumption should be limited to no more than two seeds per day. The AMA Handbook cautions that just 15 apricot kernels can be lethal to children.

Prevention/Solution

Symptoms of fruit seed poisoning include sweating, abdominal pain, vomiting and fatigue. Severe cases can cause convulsions, incontinence, coma or even death. To prevent poisoning, avoid fruit seeds and kernels. When juicing or baking, remove the cores.

Source:

SlideShare: Top Ten Poisonous Foods We Love to Eat

MyApricotSeeds.com: Answers To The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Apricot Seeds...

Ask Men: Poisonous Foods

More Information:

AMA Handbook